Le Pen’s racist agenda: The far-right legacy that won’t fade Article by Middle East Eye

The British news platform Middle East Eye recently featured an article by Rafik Chekkat exploring the controversial and deeply divisive legacy of French politician Jean-Marie Le Pen. Known for introducing far-right ideologies into France's political mainstream, Le Pen's influence continues to spark debate about race and nationalism in modern France. Caliber.Az has carefully reviewed this insightful piece and is delighted to share it with its readers.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front (now National Rally), passed away on January 7 at the age of 96, leaving behind a deeply divisive and lasting legacy. His impact extends far beyond the party he created, influencing a substantial portion of the French political spectrum, including the current government. Le Pen’s racist ideology, once considered radical, remains deeply ingrained in French politics today.

Racism existed long before Le Pen’s rise to prominence, with a long history in France, including the horrors of slavery, the persecution of Jews, and the nation’s colonial past. However, Le Pen managed to reshape the country’s racist political agenda to fit the changing social and political landscape, including the context of post-Algerian independence, the rise of postcolonial immigration, and the emergence of neoliberalism.

One significant moment in Le Pen’s early political life was his response to the horrific suppression of a protest on October 17, 1961, in Paris. The protest, organized by the National Liberation Front (FLN) against a curfew imposed on Algerians, was violently crushed by the police. Many men were arrested, beaten, and even thrown into the Seine River, with death toll estimates ranging from 200 to 300, though the French government officially reported only three deaths. Le Pen, who was already a member of the National Assembly at the time, applauded the police’s actions, reinforcing his loyalty to the French state’s colonial policies.

Early Political Career

Le Pen’s political career began in 1956 when he was elected to the National Assembly for Pierre Poujade’s populist movement. He was reelected in 1958 as a representative of the National Centre of Independents and Peasants. His rise was marked by his provocative oratory, characterized by racist demagoguery, Holocaust denial, and anti-communist rhetoric.

His military service in Indochina and Algeria played a decisive role in shaping his political views. Le Pen was reportedly involved in torture operations during the Algerian War, experiences that nurtured his deep resentment towards the loss of Algeria and the broader colonial experience. These experiences would form the foundation of his far-right ideology, which centered on a rejection of the postcolonial world order and a nostalgia for France’s imperial past.

Founding the National Front

In 1972, Le Pen founded the National Front (FN), a party that would go on to define his political career. Initially a small and marginal party, Le Pen's populist rhetoric, frequent racist remarks, and combative anti-establishment posture resonated with many disillusioned French citizens. His rhetoric about “the decline of France,” combined with a focus on immigration and national identity, made the National Front a fixture in French politics.

Le Pen’s appeal was based on discrediting the political establishment, presenting himself as an outsider, and drawing on widespread resentment towards the ruling elites. His populist message emphasized the idea that the political class was weak and corrupt, and that only he could restore France to its former glory. Much like other populist leaders around the world, including Boris Johnson in the UK, Donald Trump in the US, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, and Javier Milei in Argentina, Le Pen built his legitimacy by positioning himself as a challenger to the status quo, despite benefiting from the system’s weaknesses.

Political Breakthrough and National Influence

Le Pen’s breakthrough came in the 1980s, when his controversial views and aggressive campaigning earned him a loyal following. In 2002, he shocked the nation by reaching the second round of the French presidential election, defeating the Socialist candidate in a runoff. The event, described as a “thunderclap,” caused a nationwide outcry and mobilized mass protests. However, over time, the shock of his success faded, and his party’s presence in the presidential second round became a regular occurrence, signaling the normalization of far-right politics in France.

In the years since, themes like immigration, national identity, and cultural decline have dominated French political discourse. Far-right rhetoric, once considered fringe, has become mainstream, and issues like the “migration crisis” and “national preference” are now regularly debated in the public sphere. Public discussions about “Islamo-leftism” and “woke thinking” have become central to political debates, shifting the focus away from economic policies and social justice issues. These debates increasingly revolve around race, identity, and the perceived threat of immigration.

The National Rally’s Power

Though the National Front never governed France, the party’s influence grew steadily over time. Le Pen’s strategy of leveraging fear and resentment led to the normalization of far-right ideas across the political spectrum. Governments, regardless of their political affiliations, increasingly adopted elements of the National Rally’s agenda, particularly regarding immigration and national identity. The party served as a convenient political tool for mainstream politicians seeking to galvanize their base by using the National Front as a boogeyman.

This strategy allowed parties from across the political spectrum to encroach upon the far-right’s territory, taking up positions on issues like immigration and national identity in an attempt to siphon off votes from Le Pen’s base. As a result, debates that once caused shock and outrage—such as the question of whether the Islamic veil should be allowed in public or how many immigrants France should accept—became normalized, with little attention paid to broader economic or social issues. The shifting focus towards these “values” issues played into Le Pen’s hands, allowing far-right ideas to dominate the political agenda.

The Legacy of Jean-Marie Le Pen

Jean-Marie Le Pen’s death marks the end of an era for the French far-right, but his legacy endures. The far-right rhetoric he pioneered is now a powerful force in French politics, shaping debates and influencing policy across the political spectrum. Racism, once a fringe idea, has become a mainstream political tool, and Le Pen’s National Rally continues to exert considerable influence, even without holding power.

Though Le Pen is gone, the ideas he championed live on, shaping the future of French politics and ensuring that his racist legacy will not be forgotten.