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Jean-Marie Le Pen - 10 things to know with detail

• Early Life: Jean-Marie Le Pen was born on June 20, 1928, in La Trinité-sur-Mer, France. He served in the French Foreign Legion during the First Indochina War and later worked as a paratrooper in Algeria during the Algerian War.
• Political Career: Le Pen founded the far-right political party National Front (now National Rally) in 1972. He served as the party's president until 2011 and was a member of the European Parliament from 1984 to 2003.
• Controversial Statements: Le Pen is known for making controversial and inflammatory statements, particularly on issues of immigration, Islam, and the Holocaust. He has been convicted multiple times for hate speech and incitement to racial hatred.
• Presidential Campaigns: Le Pen ran for president of France several times, with his most notable campaign coming in 2002 when he made it to the runoff election against Jacques Chirac. He ultimately lost by a wide margin.
• Anti-EU Stance: Le Pen is a staunch critic of the European Union, advocating for France's withdrawal from the EU and the restoration of national sovereignty. He believes in protectionist economic policies and strict border controls.
• Family: Le Pen comes from a political family, with his daughter Marine Le Pen succeeding him as the leader of the National Front in 2011. The two have had a strained relationship at times, with Jean-Marie being expelled from the party in 2015.
• Legal Troubles: In addition to his numerous convictions for hate speech, Le Pen has faced legal troubles for his comments on the Holocaust. He has been fined and ordered to pay damages for denying the Holocaust's existence or downplaying its significance.
• Popularity: Despite his controversial views, Le Pen has maintained a significant following in France, particularly among those disillusioned with mainstream political parties. He has been able to tap into anti-establishment sentiment and fears about immigration and globalization.
• Retirement: In 2018, Le Pen announced his retirement from politics, stating that he would not seek re-election to the European Parliament. He has since largely faded from the public eye, although he occasionally makes appearances at National Rally events.
• Legacy: Jean-Marie Le Pen's legacy is a complicated one, with supporters praising him as a defender of French identity and sovereignty while critics condemn him as a racist and xenophobe. His impact on French politics is undeniable, as he has helped shift the country's political landscape to the right and bring far-right ideas into the mainstream.