Late French far-rightist's legacy: Defending colonialism, attacking immigrants, and justifying torture Article by RFI

The International French Radio RFI has published an article on the political legacy of the late French far-right figurehead and founder of the National Front party, Jean Marie Le Pen. Caliber.Az offers its audience the analysed version of the piece.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s National Front party, remains a polarizing figure in French politics. His controversial legacy is deeply entwined with his involvement in France’s colonial past, particularly the Algerian War of Independence, which set the stage for much of his political ideology and the creation of his far-right party.

The Algerian War and the birth of a legacy

Le Pen’s political legacy is rooted in his participation in the Algerian War in the mid-1950s. At just 27 years old, he left France to fight as a paratrooper against Algerian independence fighters, motivated by a sense of duty to preserve Algeria as a French territory. His time in Algeria would go on to influence his political trajectory significantly, as he became associated with actions and ideologies linked to the French colonial regime.

While Le Pen has consistently denied accusations of direct involvement in torture, he did not reject the broader practice, even justifying it in certain circumstances. In 1957, Le Pen was quoted in Le Monde as saying, “If it is necessary to torture one man to save a hundred, torture is inevitable... in the abnormal conditions in which we are asked to act, it is just.” His willingness to defend such brutal methods has been a source of immense criticism.

Eyewitness testimonies from Algerian veterans Mohamed and Dahmane, featured in a 2017 documentary, further fueled the controversy. According to their accounts, Le Pen was directly involved in torturous practices during his time in Algeria. The men stated, “It was Jean-Marie Le Pen who flipped the switch. He was the leader of the torturers at Fort l'Empereur.” These graphic memories serve as a painful reminder of the trauma inflicted during the war.

The role of colonial nostalgia in Le Pen’s politics

Benjamin Stora, a French historian, notes that Le Pen’s politics are steeped in nostalgia for a colonial past. As Stora explains, “Le Pen is fundamentally a man of the Fourth Republic,” marking the era when France’s colonial empire began to crumble. Le Pen’s desire to reclaim and glorify the French empire’s past is central to his political identity. His participation in the Algerian War, a conflict that symbolized the end of French colonial dominance, reflects a longing for a perceived lost era.

This nostalgic yearning for a “great France” of empire provided fertile ground for the creation of the National Front (FN) in 1972. Le Pen’s political platform, shaped by former collaborators of both the French colonial regime and the Nazis, emphasized a return to the values of a bygone era, where France was dominant on the global stage. However, these values often manifest in ways that are at odds with contemporary democratic ideals.

Immigration and the racial politics of the National Front

Immigration, particularly from Algeria, has been one of the National Front’s central concerns, especially since the 1980s. Le Pen used the issue of immigration to fuel fears about France’s changing demographic, positioning himself as a defender of the nation’s identity against an influx of Muslim immigrants. His rhetoric around immigration often bordered on the xenophobic, and he faced legal challenges and widespread condemnation for his racist remarks.

In 2005, Le Pen was fined €10,000 for inciting racial hatred following comments about Muslims in France. His prediction that the Muslim population would one day dominate France was a statement that perpetuated fear and division. Additionally, Le Pen’s history of racial comments includes a controversial 1996 interview where he stated, “I believe in racial inequality... it’s obvious... they do not have the same capacity nor the same level of historical evolution.” Such views reinforced his reputation as a figure of intolerance.

Le Pen’s controversial relationships abroad

While Le Pen’s views and actions in France have attracted considerable attention, his political relationships abroad have been equally contentious. His admiration for South Africa’s apartheid system and his ties to African leaders like Gabon’s Omar Bongo—despite allegations of financial dealings—illustrate his willingness to align himself with controversial figures. However, his most enduring relationship on the African continent was with Jean-Bedel Bokassa, the former Central African Republic leader, with whom he shared a history as soldiers in the French military during the Indochina War.

Conclusion: A legacy of division and controversy

Jean-Marie Le Pen’s legacy is one marked by a combination of nostalgia for a colonial past, a staunch anti-immigration stance, and controversial ties to global political figures. His political career has been deeply intertwined with the defense of colonialism, an unwavering commitment to racial ideologies, and the creation of a far-right movement that continues to influence French politics today. While he remains a figure of significant historical importance, his legacy is one that continues to evoke debate, with many seeing him as a symbol of a dangerous nostalgia for a bygone era.