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{{short description|French politician (born 1968)}} | |||
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{{copy edit|for=word tense, grammar, and style|date=March 2017}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
|name = Marine Le Pen | | name = Marine Le Pen | ||
|honorific-suffix |
| honorific-suffix = | ||
|image = Le Pen |
| image = Marine Le Pen VIVA 24 (2) (cropped).jpg | ||
| caption = Le Pen in 2024 | |||
|image_size = 220px | |||
|office = |
| office = President of the ] in the ] | ||
|term_start = |
| term_start = 28 June 2022 | ||
| predecessor = ''Office established'' | |||
|term_end = 24 April 2017 | |||
| office1 = {{NA MP}}<br />for ]'s ] constituency | |||
|predecessor = ] | |||
| constituency1 = | |||
|successor = ] {{small|(interim)}} | |||
| term_start1 = 18 June 2017 | |||
|office2 = ] | |||
| term_end1 = | |||
|constituency2 = ] | |||
| predecessor1 = ] | |||
|term_start2 = 14 July 2009 | |||
| |
| successor1 = | ||
| office2 = President of the ] | |||
|constituency3 = ] | |||
| |
| term_start2 = 16 January 2011 | ||
| term_end2 = 5 November 2022{{efn|Served as acting presidents ], from 25 April 2017 to 28 April 2017, ], from 28 April 2017 to 15 May 2017, and ], from 13 September 2021 to 5 November 2022.}} | |||
|term_end3 = 13 July 2009 | |||
| vicepresident2 = Alain Jamet<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />Jordan Bardella | |||
|office4 = ] | |||
| predecessor2 = ] | |||
|constituency4 = ] | |||
| successor2 = ] | |||
|term_start4 = 26 March 2010 | |||
| office3 = Chair of the ] group | |||
|term_end4 = | |||
| alongside3 = ] | |||
|constituency5 = ] | |||
| |
| term_start3 = 15 June 2015 | ||
| |
| term_end3 = 19 June 2017 | ||
| predecessor3 = ''Office established'' | |||
|constituency6 = ] | |||
| successor3 = ] | |||
|term_start6 = 15 March 1998 | |||
| office4 = ] | |||
|term_end6 = 28 March 2004 | |||
| term_start4 = 14 July 2009 | |||
|office7 = ] | |||
| term_end4 = 18 June 2017 | |||
|constituency7 = ] | |||
| constituency4 = ] | |||
|term_start7 = 23 March 2008 | |||
| |
| term_start5 = 20 July 2004 | ||
| term_end5 = 13 July 2009 | |||
|birth_name = Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen | |||
| constituency5 = ] | |||
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|8|5|df=y}} | |||
| birth_name = Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen | |||
|birth_place = ], France | |||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|8|5|df=y}} | |||
|death_date = | |||
| birth_place = ], France | |||
|death_place = | |||
| death_date = | |||
|party = ] {{small|(1986–present)}} | |||
| death_place = | |||
|spouse = {{Marriage|Franck Chauffroy|()=small|1995|2000|reason=divorced}}<br />{{Marriage|Eric Lorio|()=small|2002|2006|reason=divorced}} | |||
| |
| party = ] (since 1986) | ||
| spouse = {{plainlist| | |||
|relations = ] {{small|(father)}}<br />] {{small|(niece)}} | |||
* {{Marriage|Franck Chauffroy|1995|2000|reason=divorced}} | |||
|children = 3 | |||
* {{Marriage|Eric Lorio|2002|2006|reason=divorced}} | |||
|alma_mater = ] | |||
|signature = Marine Le Pen Signature.svg | |||
|website = {{url|marinelepen.fr|Official campaign website}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
| partner = ] (2009–2019) | |||
'''Marion Anne Perrine''' "'''Marine'''" '''Le Pen''' ({{IPA-fr|maʁin ləpɛn|lang}}; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and politician. She is the former president of the ] (FN), a ]. She is the youngest daughter of long-time FN leader ] and the aunt of FN ] ]. | |||
| parents = {{Ubl|]|]}} | |||
| relatives = ] (sister)<br>] (niece)<br>] (brother-in-law)<br>] (nephew-in-law)<br>] (nephew-in-law) | |||
Le Pen joined the National Front in 1986 and was elected as a ] (1998–present), a ] (2004–present), and a municipal councillor in ] (2008–2011). She won the leadership of the FN in 2011 with 67.65% (11,546 votes) of the vote, defeating ] and succeeding her father, who had been president of the party since he founded it in 1972.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/europe/22lepen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=Marine%20Le%20Pen%20France&st=cse&scp=1|title=Child of France's Far Right Prepares to Be Its Leader|work=]|author=]|date=21 May 2010|accessdate=17 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0625/France-s-National-Front-Will-Marine-Le-Pen-take-the-reins |title=France's National Front: will Marine Le Pen take the reins ?|work=]|author=Robert Marquand|date=25 June 2010|accessdate=17 November 2010}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8617647.stm|title=Marine Le Pen in bid to head France's National Front|publisher=]|date=13 April 2010|accessdate=17 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/columnists/life/14472/part_2/hot-spot.thtml |title=Hot Spot—High Life |work=] |location=UK |date=12 November 2005 |accessdate=17 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212005351/http://www.spectator.co.uk:80/columnists/life/14472/part_2/hot-spot.thtml |archivedate=12 December 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12201475|title=France's National Front picks Marine Le Pen as new head|work=BBC News|author=Christian Fraser|date=16 January 2011|accessdate=17 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/marine-le-pen-succeeds-father-at-helm-of-france-s-national-front-1.337323|title=Marine le Pen succeeds father at helm of France's National Front|work=]|date=16 January 2011|accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/world/europe/17lepen.html?scp=1&sq=Marine%20Le%20Pen&st=cse|title=Le Pen's Daughter Elected to Lead His Far-Right Party|work=The New York Times|author=Steven Erlanger|date=16 January 2011|accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref> In 2012, she placed third in the ] with 17.90% of the vote, behind ] and ].<ref name="CCF">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/francais/les-decisions/acces-par-date/decisions-depuis-1959/2012/liste-candidats-2012/decision-liste-candidats-2012-du-19-mars-2012.105073.html|title=Decision: list of the 2012 candidates|publisher=]|date=19 March 2012|accessdate=22 March 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="CC2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank/download/cc2012premiertourPDR.pdf|title=2012 French presidential election : Constitutional Council's statement after the official proclamation of the results in the first round|publisher=Constitutional Council |date=25 April 2012|accessdate=26 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="CC2012-RD">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank_mm/decisions/2012premiertourPDR/resultats-departements.pdf|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in the departments after the official proclamation by the Constitutional Council |publisher=Constitutional council|accessdate=26 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="MLP2012">{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/FE.html|title=2012 presidential election : first round results in the whole France |publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=23 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> She launched a second bid for the 2017 ], which took place in April 2017. She finished second in the first round of the ], with 21.30% of the vote, and will face ] of ] in the second round on 7 May 2017. | |||
| children = 3 | |||
| alma_mater = ] (], ]) | |||
Described as more democratic and republican than her ] father, Le Pen has led a movement of "de-demonization of the Front National" to detoxify and soften its image, based on renovated positions and renewed teams, also expelling controversial members accused of ], ], or ]. She expelled her father from the party on 20 August 2015 after he made new controversial statements.<ref>{{cite web|author=Francetv info |url=http://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/front-national/defile-du-fn-comment-marine-le-pen-va-marginaliser-son-pere_891797.html |title=Défilé du FN : comment Marine Le Pen va marginaliser son père |publisher=Francetvinfo.fr |date= |accessdate=2016-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/l-after-rmc-jean-marie-le-pen-est-assez-marginalise-et-esseule-dans-sa-tentative-de-combattre-le-front-national-louis-aliot-805626.html |title=L'after RMC: " Jean-Marie Le Pen est assez marginalisé et esseulé dans sa tentative de combattre le Front national ", Louis Aliot |publisher=Bfmtv.com |date= |accessdate=2016-07-21}}</ref> | |||
| signature = Marine Le Pen Signature.svg | |||
| office6 =]lor | |||
| term_start6 = 4 January 2016 | |||
| term_end6 = 2 July 2021 | |||
| constituency6 = ] | |||
| term_start7 = 26 March 2010 | |||
| term_end7 = 13 December 2015 | |||
| constituency7 = ] | |||
| term_start9 = 21 March 1998 | |||
| term_end9 = 28 March 2004 | |||
| constituency9 = ] | |||
| term_start8 = 28 March 2004 | |||
| term_end8 = 21 March 2010 | |||
| constituency8 = ] | |||
}} | |||
{{Conservatism in France|Politicians}} | |||
'''Marion Anne Perrine''' "'''Marine'''" '''Le Pen''' ({{IPA|fr|maʁin lə pɛn|lang}}; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and ]<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 4, 2022 |title=Macron's far-right rival, Le Pen, reaches all-time high in presidential second-round vote poll |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/macrons-far-right-rival-le-pen-reaches-all-time-high-presidential-second-round-2022-04-04/ |access-date=December 10, 2024 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-01 |title=Far-right Leader Le Pen Has Never Been So Powerful in France |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-01/far-right-leader-le-pen-has-never-been-so-powerful-in-france?embedded-checkout=true |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-07 |title=Front National's Le Pen sues left-winger for calling her fascist |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20140307-front-nationals-le-pen-sues-left-winger-calling-her-fascist |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=RFI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-01-12 |title=France elections: What makes Marine Le Pen far right? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38321401 |access-date=2024-12-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> politician who ran for the French presidency in ], ], and ]. A member of the ] (RN; previously the National Front, FN), she served as its president from 2011 to 2021. She has been the member of the ] for the ] of ] since 2017. She has served as parliamentary party leader of the National Rally in the Assembly since ]. | |||
Le Pen is the youngest daughter of former party leader ] and the aunt of former FN ] ]. Le Pen joined the FN in 1986. She was elected as a ] of ] (1998–2004; 2010–2015), ] (2004–2010) and ] (2015–2021), a ] (2004–2017), as well as a ] of ] (2008–2011). She won the leadership of the FN in 2011, with 67.6% of the vote, defeating ] and succeeding her father, who had been president of the party since he founded it in 1972.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/europe/22lepen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=Marine%20Le%20Pen%20France&st=cse&scp=1|title=Child of France's Far Right Prepares to Be Its Leader|work=]|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|author-link=Steven Erlanger|date=21 May 2010|access-date=17 November 2010|archive-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519023846/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/22/world/europe/22lepen.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&sq=Marine%20Le%20Pen%20France&st=cse&scp=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0625/France-s-National-Front-Will-Marine-Le-Pen-take-the-reins|title=France's National Front: will Marine Le Pen take the reins ?|work=]|first=Robert|last=Marquand|date=25 June 2010|access-date=17 November 2010|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141720/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0625/France-s-National-Front-Will-Marine-Le-Pen-take-the-reins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8617647.stm|title=Marine Le Pen in bid to head France's National Front|work=BBC News|date=13 April 2010|access-date=17 November 2010|archive-date=6 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106142344/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8617647.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, she ] in the ] with 17.9% of the vote, behind ] and ].<ref name="CCF">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/francais/les-decisions/acces-par-date/decisions-depuis-1959/2012/liste-candidats-2012/decision-liste-candidats-2012-du-19-mars-2012.105073.html|title=Decision: list of the 2012 candidates|publisher=]|date=19 March 2012|access-date=22 March 2012|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422015152/http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/francais/les-decisions/acces-par-date/decisions-depuis-1959/2012/liste-candidats-2012/decision-liste-candidats-2012-du-19-mars-2012.105073.html|archive-date=22 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CC2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank/download/cc2012premiertourPDR.pdf|title=2012 French presidential election: Constitutional Council's statement after the official proclamation of the results in the first round|publisher=Constitutional Council|date=25 April 2012|access-date=26 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522142221/http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank/download/cc2012premiertourPDR.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CC2012-RD">{{cite web|url=http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank_mm/decisions/2012premiertourPDR/resultats-departements.pdf|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in the departments after the official proclamation by the Constitutional Council|publisher=Constitutional council|access-date=26 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=22 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522154203/http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank_mm/decisions/2012premiertourPDR/resultats-departements.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> She launched a second bid for the presidency at the ]. She finished second in the first round of the election with 21.3% of the vote and faced ] of centrist party ] in the second round of voting. On 7 May 2017, she conceded after receiving approximately 33.9% of the vote in the second round.<ref name="auto4">{{cite news|title=En direct, Emmanuel Macron élu président: " Je défendrai la France, ses intérêts vitaux, son image "|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2017/live/2017/05/07/suivez-la-soiree-electorale-en-direct_5123713_4854003.html|newspaper=]|date=7 May 2017|access-date=7 May 2017|archive-date=7 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507173332/http://www.lemonde.fr//election-presidentielle-2017/live/2017/05/07/suivez-la-soiree-electorale-en-direct_5123713_4854003.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, she announced her third candidacy for the presidency in the ]. She came second in the first round of the election with 23.2% of the votes, thus qualifying her for the second round against Macron,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=10 April 2022 |title=Macron tops first round of French election to face Le Pen in April 24 run-off |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220410-live-follow-the-results-of-the-first-round-of-france-s-presidential-election |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=]}}</ref> losing in the second round after receiving 41.5% of the votes. | |||
She has also relaxed some political positions of the party, advocating for ]s for same-sex couples instead of her party's previous opposition to legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, accepting unconditional ] and withdrawing the ] from her platform.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.policy-network.net/pno_detail.aspx?ID=4358&title=The+de-demonisation+of+the+Front+National|title=The de-demonisation of the Front National|work=]|date=26 March 2013|accessdate=3 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bfmtv.com/politique/marine-le-pen-se-prononce-pour-un-pacs-ameliore-pour-les-homosexuels-838460.html|title=Marine Le Pen "pour un Pacs amélioré" pour les homosexuels|work=BFM TV|date=6 October 2014|accessdate=18 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/2016/12/05/35003-20161205ARTFIG00223-ivg-marion-marechal-le-pen-recadree-par-sa-tante.php|title=IVG : Marion Maréchal-Le Pen recadrée par sa tante|work=Le Figaro|date=6 December 2016|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite news|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/elections/presidentielle-marine-le-pen-ne-propose-plus-de-retablir-la-peine-de-mort_1874894.html |title=Présidentielle: Marine Le Pen ne propose plus de rétablir la peine de mort|work=L'Express|date=3 February 2014|accessdate=4 February 2016}}</ref> | |||
Le Pen has led a movement of "]" to soften its image,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/04/21/525110143/marine-le-pens-brutal-upbringing-shaped-her-worldview |title=Marine Le Pen's 'Brutal' Upbringing Shaped Her Worldview |publisher=NPR |date=21 April 2017 |access-date=6 May 2018 |archive-date=8 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408205957/https://www.npr.org/2017/04/21/525110143/marine-le-pens-brutal-upbringing-shaped-her-worldview |url-status=live }}</ref> including limited expulsion of members accused of ], ] or ]. She expelled her father from the party in August 2015, after he made fresh controversial statements.<ref>{{cite web |author=Francetv info |url=http://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/front-national/defile-du-fn-comment-marine-le-pen-va-marginaliser-son-pere_891797.html |title=Défilé du FN: comment Marine Le Pen va marginaliser son père |date=May 2015 |work=France Info |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216214108/http://www.francetvinfo.fr/politique/front-national/defile-du-fn-comment-marine-le-pen-va-marginaliser-son-pere_891797.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/l-after-rmc-jean-marie-le-pen-est-assez-marginalise-et-esseule-dans-sa-tentative-de-combattre-le-front-national-louis-aliot-805626.html |title=L'after RMC: " Jean-Marie Le Pen est assez marginalisé et esseulé dans sa tentative de combattre le Front national ", Louis Aliot |publisher=Bfmtv.com |access-date=21 July 2016 |archive-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216232011/http://www.bfmtv.com/mediaplayer/video/l-after-rmc-jean-marie-le-pen-est-assez-marginalise-et-esseule-dans-sa-tentative-de-combattre-le-front-national-louis-aliot-805626.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While liberalizing some ] by revoking its ], its ], and its ], Le Pen still advocates many of the same historical policies of her party, with particular focus on strong ], ] and ] measures.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url=http://www.policy-network.net/pno_detail.aspx?ID=4358&title=The+de-demonisation+of+the+Front+National|title=The de-demonisation of the Front National|work=]|date=26 March 2013|access-date=3 January 2016|archive-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831002420/http://www.policy-network.net/pno_detail.aspx?ID=4358&title=The+de-demonisation+of+the+Front+National|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bfmtv.com/politique/marine-le-pen-se-prononce-pour-un-pacs-ameliore-pour-les-homosexuels-838460.html|title=Marine Le Pen "pour un Pacs amélioré" pour les homosexuels|publisher=BFM TV|date=6 October 2014|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=11 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211142238/https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/marine-le-pen-se-prononce-pour-un-pacs-ameliore-pour-les-homosexuels-838460.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/2016/12/05/35003-20161205ARTFIG00223-ivg-marion-marechal-le-pen-recadree-par-sa-tante.php|title=IVG: Marion Maréchal-Le Pen recadrée par sa tante|work=]|date=6 December 2016|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=24 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824195841/http://www.lefigaro.fr/elections/presidentielles/2016/12/05/35003-20161205ARTFIG00223-ivg-marion-marechal-le-pen-recadree-par-sa-tante.php|url-status=live}}</ref> She is supportive of ], favoring an ], and is opposed to ] and ]. Le Pen supports ] and ].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mounk |first=Yascha |author-link=Yascha Mounk |date=1 May 2017 |title=No, There Is No Case for Le Pen |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/05/no-ross-douthat-there-is-no-case-for-marine-le-pen.html |access-date=10 April 2022 |website=] |language=en |quote=This becomes most apparent in Le Pen's views on the headscarf and the yarmulke: While some of her rivals would outlaw these in public schools, Le Pen wants to ban them in all public places. In conjunction with her opposition to ritual slaughter... |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411140300/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/05/no-ross-douthat-there-is-no-case-for-marine-le-pen.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She has made supportive comments of ] and Russia in the past, advocating closer cooperation before the ]; she strongly condemned the ], but stated Russia could become "]" if it ends.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Why France's Marine Le Pen Is Doubling Down on Russia Support |url=https://time.com/4627780/russia-national-front-marine-le-pen-putin/ |date=9 January 2017 |access-date=1 March 2022 |magazine=] |language=en |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301052911/https://time.com/4627780/russia-national-front-marine-le-pen-putin/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/Marine-Le-Pen-says-on-TV-Russia-could-become-ally-to-France-again|title=Marine Le Pen: 'Putin could become ally to France again'|work=connexionfrance.com|date=3 April 2022 |access-date=9 April 2022|archive-date=8 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408201221/https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/Marine-Le-Pen-says-on-TV-Russia-could-become-ally-to-France-again|url-status=live}}</ref> She has supported ] during the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Where does Europe's far right stand on the Israel-Hamas war? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/where-do-europes-far-right-parties-stand-on-the-israel-hamas-conflict/a-67465217 |work=] |date=18 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=In break with its past, French far-right now supports Israel |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/in-break-with-its-past-french-far-right-now-supports-israel/3260877 |work=] |date=28 June 2024}}</ref> | |||
Le Pen was ranked among the most influential people in 2011 and 2015 by the ].<ref name="MLPTIME">{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2066367,00.html|title=The 2011 Time 100 : full list|work=]|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=24 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2015/04/16/piketty-et-marine-le-pen-dans-le-classement-des-personnalites-influentes-de-time_4617474_3236.html|title=Thomas Piketty et Marine Le Pen parmi les 100 personnalités influentes du " Time "|date=16 April 2015}}</ref> In 2016, she was ranked as second-most influential MEP in the ] by ], just behind the ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/list/the-40-meps-who-actually-matter-european-parliament-mep/|title=The 40 MEPs who actually matter: the ranking|date=19 May 2016|work=Politico}}</ref> | |||
'']'' named Le Pen one of the ] in 2011 and 2015.<ref name="MLPTIME">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2066367,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422055300/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2066367,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2011|title=The 2011 Time 100: full list|magazine=]|date=21 April 2011|access-date=24 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2015/04/16/piketty-et-marine-le-pen-dans-le-classement-des-personnalites-influentes-de-time_4617474_3236.html|title=Thomas Piketty et Marine Le Pen parmi les 100 personnalités influentes du " Time "|newspaper=]|date=16 April 2015|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203182653/http://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2015/04/16/piketty-et-marine-le-pen-dans-le-classement-des-personnalites-influentes-de-time_4617474_3236.html|url-status=live|language=French}}</ref> In 2016, '']'' named her the second-most influential ] in the ], after ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/list/the-40-meps-who-actually-matter-european-parliament-mep/|title=The 40 MEPs who actually matter: the ranking|date=19 May 2016|work=Politico|access-date=21 May 2016|archive-date=11 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011000317/http://www.politico.eu/list/the-40-meps-who-actually-matter-european-parliament-mep/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2024, after months of rising polling numbers, and for the first time ever, Le Pen became the most popular politician in France according to a ]-Epoka for '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/sondage-marine-le-pen-pour-la-premiere-fois-seule-en-tete-des-personnalites-politiques-20240131|title=Sondage: Marine Le Pen pour la première fois seule en tête dans le baromètre du Figaro Magazine|newspaper=]|date=31 January 2024|language=French}}</ref> | |||
==Early life== | |||
{{TOC limit}} | |||
==Early life and education== | |||
===Childhood=== | ===Childhood=== | ||
Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen was born on 5 August 1968<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/tags/marine-le-pen|title=Marine Le Pen |
Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen was born on 5 August 1968 in ],<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marine-Le-Pen|title= Marine Le Pen|website= ]|language= en|access-date= 23 June 2020|archive-date= 18 May 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200518193515/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marine-Le-Pen|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/tags/marine-le-pen|title=Marine Le Pen: Biographie et articles – Le Point|website=Le Point|language=fr|access-date=5 February 2017|archive-date=29 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129062516/http://www.lepoint.fr/tags/marine-le-pen|url-status=live}}</ref> the youngest of three daughters of ], a ] politician and former ], and his first wife, ]. She was baptized on 25 April 1969 at ] Church in Paris. Her godfather was Henri Botey, a relative of her father.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chombeau|first=Christiane|title=Le Pen, fille & père|date=2007|publisher=Panama|isbn=978-2-7557-0303-0|pages=22}}</ref> | ||
Le Pen has two sisters: Yann and ]. In 1976, when Marine was eight, a bomb meant for her father exploded in the stairwell outside the family's apartment as they slept.<ref name="autobiography">{{cite web|url=http://img47.xooimage.com/files/9/3/4/attentat-marine-le-pen-21f8aef.pdf|title=Welcome to a ruthless world|publisher=xooimage.com|access-date=22 March 2011|language=fr|archive-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718132855/http://img47.xooimage.com/files/9/3/4/attentat-marine-le-pen-21f8aef.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The blast ripped a hole in the outside wall of the building, but Marine, her two older sisters and their parents were unharmed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772875-2,00.html|title=Marine Le Pen's Populism for the Masses (Part 2: The Divide Between the Governing and the Governed)|work=]|first=Mathieu|last=von Rohr|date=7 July 2011|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=12 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712025014/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772875-2,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
She was a student at the Lycée Florent Schmitt |
She was a student at the ] in ]. Her mother left the family in 1984 when Marine was 16. Le Pen wrote in her autobiography that the effect was "the most awful, cruel, crushing of pains of the heart: my mother did not love me."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/marine_le_pen |title=Marine Le Pen. Is France's National Front leader far-right? |publisher=] |first=Hugh |last=Schofield |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=7 May 2017 |archive-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505140305/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/marine_le_pen |url-status=live }}</ref> Her parents divorced in 1987.<ref name="biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.elections-presidentielles-2017.fr/candidats-2012/marine-le-pen/ |title=Marine Le Pen's biography |publisher=Élections présidentielles 2012 |date=20 November 2009 |access-date=17 November 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120154359/http://www.elections-presidentielles-2017.fr/candidats-2012/marine-le-pen/ |archive-date=20 November 2010 }}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/marine-lepen-defends-republic|title=Marine Le Pen emerges from father's shadow|work=]|first=Angelique|last=Chrisafis|date=21 March 2011|access-date=22 March 2011|archive-date=22 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922002135/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/marine-lepen-defends-republic|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Legal studies and work=== | ===Legal studies and work=== | ||
Le Pen studied law at ], graduating with a ] in 1991 and a ] (DEA) in ] in 1992.<ref name="Marine">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6252 |title=FN: the new president elected by the members ! |publisher=] |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=17 January 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611025243/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6252 |archive-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> Registered at the Paris ], she worked as a lawyer for six years (1992–1998),<ref name="Marine" /> appearing regularly before the criminal chamber of the 23rd district court of Paris which judges immediate appearances, and often acting as a ]. She was a member of the Paris Bar until 1998, when she joined the legal department of the National Front. | |||
{{one source|section|date=February 2017}} | |||
Le Pen studied law at ], graduating with a ] in 1991 and a ] (DEA) in ] in 1992.<ref name="Marine">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6252 |title=FN : the new president elected by the members ! |publisher=Front National |date=16 January 2011 |accessdate=17 January 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611025243/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6252 |archivedate=11 June 2011}}</ref> Registered at the Paris ], she worked as a lawyer for six years (1992–1998).<ref name="Marine" /> In France - as in many other countries - when a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, ]. She often fulfilled this role. | |||
===Personal life=== | |||
In 1992, she received the certificate as a lawyer (CAPA) and became a lawyer practising in Paris. She then argued regularly before the criminal chamber of the 23rd District Court of Paris which judges immediate appearances. She was a member of the Bar of Paris until 1998, when she joined the legal department of the National Front. | |||
In 1995, Le Pen married Franck Chauffroy, a business executive who worked for the National Front. She has three children with Chauffroy (Jehanne, Louis, and Mathilde).<ref name="biography" /> After her divorce from Chauffroy in 2000, she married Eric Lorio in 2002, the former national secretary of the National Front and a former adviser to the Regional election in ]. The couple divorced in 2006. | |||
From 2009 until 2019, she was in a relationship with ], who is of ethnic French ] and ] heritage.<ref name="Mahrane">{{cite magazine|first=Saïd|last=Mahrane|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-fait-la-cour-aux-juifs-03-12-2011-1403435_20.php |title=Marine Le Pen fait la cour aux juifs|magazine=]|date=3 December 2011|access-date=3 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209085834/http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-fait-la-cour-aux-juifs-03-12-2011-1403435_20.php |archive-date=9 December 2011|language=fr }}</ref> He was the National Front general secretary from 2005 to 2010, then the National Front vice president.<ref>{{cite news|first=Maureen|last=Dowd|author-link=Maureen Dowd|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/opinion/sunday/dowd-leading-sarkozy-to-the-guillotine.html|title=Leading Sarkozy to the Guillotine|date=6 May 2012|work=]|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=31 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731185236/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/opinion/sunday/dowd-leading-sarkozy-to-the-guillotine.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She has lived in ] with her three children since September 2014. She has an apartment in ] and owns a house with Aliot in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://millas.blogs.lindependant.com/archive/2010/09/13/marine-le-pen-achete-a-millas-cela-releve-de-ma-vie-privee.html |title=Marine Le Pen achète à Millas : "Cela relève de ma vie privée": Millas |publisher=Millas.blogs.lindependant.com |date=13 September 2010 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020349/http://millas.blogs.lindependant.com/archive/2010/09/13/marine-le-pen-achete-a-millas-cela-releve-de-ma-vie-privee.html |archive-date=17 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===Private life=== | |||
Le Pen was raised ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://lelab.europe1.fr/marion-marechal-le-pen-evoque-ses-racines-protestantes-pour-se-rabibocher-avec-la-federation-protestante-de-france-1367744|title=Marion Maréchal-Le Pen évoque ses racines protestantes pour se rabibocher avec la Fédération protestante de France|publisher=]|author=Delphine Legouté|date=14 July 2015|accessdate=1 January 2017}}</ref> She was married in 1995 to Franck Chauffroy, a business executive who worked for the National Front. By Chauffroy, she has three children (Jehanne, Louis, and Mathilde).<ref name="biography" /> After her divorce from Chauffroy in 2000, she married Eric Lorio in 2002, the former national secretary of the National Front and a former adviser to the Regional election in Nord-Pas de Calais, whom she divorced in 2006. | |||
Le Pen has described herself as a ] ].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Fourest |first1=Caroline |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9a1-tgAACAAJ |title=Marine Le Pen démasquée |last2=Venner |first2=Fiammetta |date=2012 |publisher=] |isbn=978-2-253-15635-2 |pages=297–299 |language=fr}}</ref> Her children were baptised by a priest of the ] (FSSPX) in the ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Malet |first=Jean-Baptiste |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cEt3tgAACAAJ |title=Derrière les lignes du front: reportages et immersions en terre d'extrême droite |date=2011 |publisher=Golias |isbn=978-2-35472-137-4 |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Since 2009, she has been in a relationship with ], who is of ethnic French ] and ]<ref>Saïd Mahrane, , '']'', {{date|3 décembre 2011}}. Consulté le 3 décembre 2011.</ref> heritage. He was the National Front General Secretary from 2005 to 2010, then the National Front vice president who was in charge of the Project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/opinion/sunday/dowd-leading-sarkozy-to-the-guillotine.html|title=Leading Sarkozy to the Guillotine|date=6 May 2012|work=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
She spends most of her time in Saint-Cloud, and has resided in ] with her three children since September 2014. She has an apartment in ]. In 2010, she also bought a house with Aliot in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://millas.blogs.lindependant.com/archive/2010/09/13/marine-le-pen-achete-a-millas-cela-releve-de-ma-vie-privee.html |title=Marine Le Pen achète à Millas : "Cela relève de ma vie privée" : Millas |publisher=Millas.blogs.lindependant.com |date=13 September 2010 |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> | |||
==Early political career== | ==Early political career== | ||
===1986–2010: Rise within the National Front=== | |||
Marine Le Pen joined the FN in 1986, at the age of 18. She acquired her first political mandate in 1998 when she was elected a ] for ]. In the same year, she joined the FN's juridical branch, which she led until 2003. | |||
In 2000, she became president of ''Generations Le Pen'', a loose association close to the party which aimed at "''de-demonizing'' the Front National".<ref name="biography" /> She became a member the FN Executive Committee ({{langx|fr|link=no|bureau politique}}) in 2000, and vice-president of the FN in 2003.<ref name="biography" /> In 2006, she managed the ] of her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. She became one of the two executive vice-presidents of the FN in 2007, with responsibility for training, communication and publicity.<ref name="Marine" /> | |||
===First steps and rise within National Front: 1986–2010=== | |||
In 1986, at the age of 18, Marine Le Pen joined the FN. In 2000, she became president of ''Generations Le Pen'', a loose association close to the party aimed at "''de-demonizing'' the Front National".<ref name="biography" /> In 1998, she joined the FN's juridical branch, which she led until 2003. | |||
In the ], she contested ] but came second behind incumbent ] ] ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|title=Résultats des élections législatives 2007|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Legislatives/elecresult__legislatives_2007|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2021|website=Ministère de l'Intérieur |publisher=French Government|language=fr-FR|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231839/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Legislatives/elecresult__legislatives_2007/(path)/legislatives_2007/index.html}}</ref> | |||
In 2000, she joined the FN Executive Committee (''bureau politique''). In 2003, she became vice-president of the FN.<ref name="biography" /> In 2006, Jean-Marie Le Pen entrusted her with the management of his ]. In 2007, she became one of the two executive vice-presidents of the FN and was in charge of training, communication and publicity.<ref name="Marine" /> | |||
===2010–11: Leadership campaign=== | |||
In 1998, she acquired her first political mandate when she was elected regional councillor in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais. From 2002, she began to establish her parliamentary base in the former coal mining area of the ].<ref name="biography" /> | |||
Early in 2010, Le Pen expressed her intention to run for leader of the FN, saying that she hoped to make the party "a big popular party that addresses itself not only to the electorate on the right but to all the French people".<ref name="BBC" /> | |||
On 3 September 2010, she launched her leadership campaign at ], Var.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=110241|title=500 people were at Cuers for Marine Le Pen|work=Nations Presse Info|date=4 September 2010|access-date=1 November 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905114801/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=110241|archive-date=5 September 2012}}</ref> During a meeting in Paris on 14 November 2010, she said that her goal was "not only to assemble our political family. It consists of shaping the Front National as the center of grouping of the whole French people", adding that in her view the FN leader should be the party's candidate in the ].<ref name="autogenerated18">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=116192|title=The 2012 great alternation is built in 2011|work=Nations Presse Info|date=15 November 2010|access-date=23 November 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906014455/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=116192|archive-date=6 September 2012}}</ref> She spent four months campaigning for the FN leadership, holding meetings with FN members in 51 ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/calendrier_marine_septembre2010_janvier2011.pdf |title=Timetable of Marine Le Pen's campaign trail for the 2011 Congress |publisher=] |access-date=1 November 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110836/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/calendrier_marine_septembre2010_janvier2011.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2011}}</ref> All the other departments were visited by one of her official supporters.<ref name="marinesoutiens" /> During her final meeting of the campaign in Hénin-Beaumont on 19 December 2010, she claimed that the FN would present the real debate of the next presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://briois.ublog.com/weblog/2010/12/afp-le-fn-pose-les-v%C3%A9ritables-d%C3%A9bats-de-la-pr%C3%A9sidentielle-selon-marine-le-pen.html|title=AFP: according to Marine Le Pen, the FN presents the "real debates" of the presidential election|publisher=] (Steeve Briois' website)|date=20 December 2010|access-date=20 December 2010|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222083041/http://briois.ublog.com/weblog/2010/12/afp-le-fn-pose-les-v%C3%A9ritables-d%C3%A9bats-de-la-pr%C3%A9sidentielle-selon-marine-le-pen.html|archive-date=22 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=119680|title=FN leadership: Marine Le Pen's final meeting at Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=] (Nations Presse Info)|date=21 December 2010|access-date=21 December 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903185300/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=119680|archive-date=3 September 2012}}</ref> Her candidacy was endorsed by a majority of senior figures in the party,<ref name="marinesoutiens">{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/comite-soutien-et-equipe-marinelepen2011.pdf |title=Marine Le Pen's support committee |publisher=] |access-date=24 January 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110848/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/comite-soutien-et-equipe-marinelepen2011.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2011 }}</ref> including her father.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/2798961/French-far-right-leader-Jean-Marie-Le-Pen-sets-retirement-date.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/2798961/French-far-right-leader-Jean-Marie-Le-Pen-sets-retirement-date.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen sets retirement date|work=] |first=Henry|last=Samuel|date=11 September 2008|access-date=17 November 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/116636/jean-marie-le-pen-soutient-sa-fille-marine-face-a-gollnisch/|title=Jean-Marie Le Pen sides with his daughter Marine against Gollnisch|publisher=]|date=30 June 2010|access-date=14 October 2010|language=fr|archive-date=17 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717135420/http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/116636/jean-marie-le-pen-soutient-sa-fille-marine-face-a-gollnisch/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Her aim is to expand the political influence of the FN and transform it into a "big popular party that addresses itself not only to the electorate on the right but to all the French people".<ref name="BBC" /> She has frequently stated that she rules out any political alliance with the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2010/10/30/01002-20101030ARTFIG00466-marine-le-pen-il-n-y-aura-pas-d-alliance-avec-l-ump.php|title=Marine Le Pen : "No alliance with the UMP"|work=Le Figaro |language=French|date=30 October 2010|accessdate=3 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/10/31/marine-le-pen-refuse-l-idee-d-une-alliance-avec-l-ump_1433592_823448.html|title=Marine Le Pen refuses the idea of an alliance with the UMP|work=Le Monde |language=French|date=31 October 2010|accessdate=16 February 2011}}</ref> | |||
On several occasions during her campaign she ruled out any political alliance with the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2010/10/30/01002-20101030ARTFIG00466-marine-le-pen-il-n-y-aura-pas-d-alliance-avec-l-ump.php|title=Marine Le Pen: "No alliance with the UMP"|work=]|language=fr|date=30 October 2010|access-date=3 November 2010|archive-date=3 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103095519/http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2010/10/30/01002-20101030ARTFIG00466-marine-le-pen-il-n-y-aura-pas-d-alliance-avec-l-ump.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/10/31/marine-le-pen-refuse-l-idee-d-une-alliance-avec-l-ump_1433592_823448.html|title=Marine Le Pen refuses the idea of an alliance with the UMP|work=]|language=fr|date=31 October 2010|access-date=16 February 2011|archive-date=22 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122071456/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/10/31/marine-le-pen-refuse-l-idee-d-une-alliance-avec-l-ump_1433592_823448.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She also distanced herself from some of Jean-Marie Le Pen's most controversial statements,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/marine-le-pen-mightier-than-her-pre-2077569.html|title=Marine Le Pen: mightier than her père?|work=]|date=13 September 2010|access-date=17 November 2010|archive-date=16 September 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916234549/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/marine-le-pen-mightier-than-her-pre-2077569.html|url-status=live}}</ref> such as those relating to ], which was reported in the media as attempts to improve the party's image. While her father had attracted controversy by saying that the mass murder of Jews in ]s during the ] was "a detail of the history of World War II", she described ] as "the height of barbarism".<ref>{{cite web|first=Olivier|last=Pognon|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2008/04/28/01002-20080428ARTFIG00356-marine-le-pen-reprend-ses-distances-avec-son-pere.php|title=Marine Le Pen again distances herself from her father|work=]|language=fr|date=28 April 2008|access-date=15 October 2010|archive-date=9 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209113145/http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2008/04/28/01002-20080428ARTFIG00356-marine-le-pen-reprend-ses-distances-avec-son-pere.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jérémy|last=Collado|url=http://www.slate.fr/story/117573/michel-thooris-juifs-marine-le-pen|title=Michel Thooris, l'homme qui veut faire voter les juifs pour Marine Le Pen|work=]|language=fr|date=18 May 2016|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-date=13 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913135533/http://www.slate.fr/story/117573/michel-thooris-juifs-marine-le-pen|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In December 2010 and early January 2011, FN members voted by post to elect their new president and the members of the central committee. The party held a congress at ] on 15–16 January.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme-congres-tours.pdf |title=Official programme of the XIVth congress of the National Front |publisher=] |access-date=14 February 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304072404/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme-congres-tours.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> On 16 January 2011, Marine Le Pen was elected as the new president of the FN, with 67.65% of the vote (11,546 votes to 5,522 for ]),<ref name="Marine" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703551604576085830320266312|title=Le Pen's Daughter Takes Party Helm|work=]|first=Sebastian|last=Moffett|date=17 January 2011|access-date=18 January 2011|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518201900/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703551604576085830320266312|url-status=live}}</ref> and Jean-Marie Le Pen became honorary chairman. | |||
===Internal campaign for the FN leadership: 2010–11=== | |||
Her candidacy was endorsed by an overwhelming majority of senior executives<ref name="marinesoutiens">{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/comite-soutien-et-equipe-marinelepen2011.pdf |title=Marine Le Pen's support committee |publisher=] |accessdate=24 January 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110848/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/comite-soutien-et-equipe-marinelepen2011.pdf |archivedate=27 July 2011 }}</ref> and by Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of the FN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/2798961/French-far-right-leader-Jean-Marie-Le-Pen-sets-retirement-date.html|title=French far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen sets retirement date|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|author=Henry Samuel|date=11 September 2008|accessdate=17 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmc.fr/editorial/116636/jean-marie-le-pen-soutient-sa-fille-marine-face-a-gollnisch/|title=Jean-Marie Le Pen sides with his daughter Marine against Gollnisch|publisher=]|date=30 June 2010|accessdate=14 October 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
=== Muslim occupation comment === | |||
She spent four months campaigning for the FN leadership, holding meetings with FN members in 51 ] to explain in detail her political views and projects for the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/calendrier_marine_septembre2010_janvier2011.pdf |title=Timetable of Marine Le Pen's campaign trail for the 2011 Congress |publisher=] |accessdate=1 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727110836/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/calendrier_marine_septembre2010_janvier2011.pdf |archivedate=27 July 2011}}</ref> All the other departments were visited by one of her official supporters.<ref name="marinesoutiens" /> | |||
Marine Le Pen received substantial media attention during the campaign as a result of comments, made during a speech to party members in ] on 10 December 2010, in which she compared the use of public streets and squares in French cities (in particular rue Myrha in the ]) for ] with the ]. She said: | |||
{{quote|For those who want to talk a lot about World War II, if it's about occupation, then we could also talk about it (Muslim prayers in the streets), because that is occupation of territory ... It is an occupation of sections of the territory, of districts in which religious laws apply ... There are of course no tanks, there are no soldiers, but it is nevertheless an occupation and it weighs heavily on local residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8197895/Marine-Le-Pen-Muslims-in-France-like-Nazi-occupation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8197895/Marine-Le-Pen-Muslims-in-France-like-Nazi-occupation.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Marine Le Pen: Muslims in France 'like Nazi occupation'|work=]|date=12 December 2010|access-date=4 February 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00450-m-le-pen-choque-sur-les-prieres-de-rue.php|title=Marine Le Pen shocks on street prayers|work=]|date=11 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214004759/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00450-m-le-pen-choque-sur-les-prieres-de-rue.php|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
Her comments were much criticised. Government spokesman ] characterized her remarks as racist and xenophobic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/12/11/marine-le-pen-compare-les-prieres-de-rue-des-musulmans-a-une-occupation_1452359_823448.html|title=Marine Le Pen compares the "Muslims' street prayers" to an "occupation"|work=]|agency=]/]|date=11 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214085733/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/12/11/marine-le-pen-compare-les-prieres-de-rue-des-musulmans-a-une-occupation_1452359_823448.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] (CRIF),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118902|title=The CRIF denounces Marine Le Pen|work=Nations Presse Info|date=14 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604202812/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118902|archive-date=4 June 2012}}</ref> the ] (CFCM)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00610-marine-le-pen-propos-irresponsables.php|title=Marine Le Pen: "irresponsible" words|work=Le Figaro|date=11 December 2010|access-date=16 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214010621/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00610-marine-le-pen-propos-irresponsables.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ] (LICRA)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/14/97001-20101214FILWWW00478-la-licra-condamne-les-propos-de-le-pen.php|title=The Licra condemns Marine Le Pen's language|work=Le Figaro|date=14 December 2010|access-date=16 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=16 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216235644/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/14/97001-20101214FILWWW00478-la-licra-condamne-les-propos-de-le-pen.php|url-status=live}}</ref> condemned her statement, and groups including ] (Movement Against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualite/politique/20101212.OBS4574/plainte-contre-marine-le-pen-pour-incitation-a-la-haine-raciale.html|title=The MRAP lodges a formal complaint against Marine Le Pen for racial hatred|work=Le Nouvel Observateur|date=12 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214040358/http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualite/politique/20101212.OBS4574/plainte-contre-marine-le-pen-pour-incitation-a-la-haine-raciale.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ] (LDH)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/13/97001-20101213FILWWW00441-marine-le-pen-plainte-de-la-ldh.php|title=Marine Le Pen: the LDH lodges a formal complaint|work=Le Figaro|date=13 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=16 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216041532/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/13/97001-20101213FILWWW00441-marine-le-pen-plainte-de-la-ldh.php|url-status=live}}</ref> declared their intention to lodge a formal complaint. The ] of the ] and former president of the CFCM, ], said that, while her parallel was questionable and to be condemned, she had asked a valid question.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-pose-une-vraie-question.70975 |title=Marine Le Pen asked a valid question |work=France-Soir |date=14 December 2010 |access-date=17 December 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216225840/http://www.francesoir.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-pose-une-vraie-question.70975 |archive-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
On 3 September 2010, she launched her internal campaign at ], Var.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=110241|title=500 people were at Cuers for Marine Le Pen|work=Nations Presse Info|date=4 September 2010|accessdate=1 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> During a meeting in ] on 14 November 2010, she claimed: "My project is not to assemble our political family, or rather is not only to assemble our political family. It consists of shaping the Front National as the center of grouping of the whole French people". She also explained why the FN leadership and the candidature for the ] must not be dissociated: thus the next FN leader will run in the 2012 presidential election.<ref name="autogenerated18" /> During her final meeting at Hénin-Beaumont on 19 December 2010, she claimed that the FN presents the real debates of the next presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://briois.ublog.com/weblog/2010/12/afp-le-fn-pose-les-v%C3%A9ritables-d%C3%A9bats-de-la-pr%C3%A9sidentielle-selon-marine-le-pen.html|title=AFP : according to Marine Le Pen, the FN presents the "real debates" of the presidential election|publisher=] (Steeve Briois' website)|date=20 December 2010|accessdate=20 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=119680|title=FN leadership : Marine Le Pen's final meeting at Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=] (''Nations Presse Info'')|date=21 December 2010|accessdate=21 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Most of her campaign tours throughout France were reported in local newspapers and regional television programmes. | |||
Le Pen's partner ],<ref name="Mahrane" /> a member of the FN's Executive Committee, criticized "the attempted manipulation of opinion by ] groups and those really responsible for the current situation in France".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6187 |title=Statement about communitarianism and those really responsible for the current situation in France |publisher=] |first=Louis|last=Aliot|author-link=Louis Aliot |date=16 December 2010 |access-date=17 December 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408123205/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6187 |archive-date=8 April 2011 }}</ref> On 13 December 2010, Le Pen reasserted her statement during a press conference at the FN headquarters in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6164 |title=Our occupied streets: Marine Le Pen's press conference |publisher=] |date=14 December 2010 |access-date=14 December 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825005356/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6164 |archive-date=25 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/marine-le-pen-persiste-et-signe-a-propos-de-l-occupation-13-12-2010-1274668_240.php|title=Marine Le Pen "confirms and signs" for "the Occupation"|work=]|date=13 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216010523/http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/marine-le-pen-persiste-et-signe-a-propos-de-l-occupation-13-12-2010-1274668_240.php|archive-date=16 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118982|title=Marine Le Pen confirms and signs|work=BFM TV (Nations Presse Info)|date=14 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> After ]'s comments on ] on 13 December 2010, she accused the ] of organising "state manipulation" with the intention of demonizing her in public opinion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6169 |title=Controversy of the street prayers. This is state manipulation: the proof ! |publisher=] |date=14 December 2010 |access-date=14 December 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219081632/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6169 |archive-date=19 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118990|title=Revelations: Marine Le Pen badmouthed by the Elysée|publisher=BFM TV (Nations Presse Info)|date=14 December 2010|access-date=14 December 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904063754/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118990|archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> On 15 December 2015, a Lyon court acquitted her of "inciting hatred", ruling that her statement "did not target all of the Muslim community" and was protected "as a part of freedom of expression".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20151215-france-le-pen-acquitted-hatred|title=French far-right leader Marine Le Pen acquitted of inciting hatred|publisher=]|date=15 December 2015|access-date=3 January 2016|language=fr|archive-date=2 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102225623/http://www.france24.com/en/20151215-france-le-pen-acquitted-hatred|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In December 2010 and early January 2011, FN members voted by post to elect their new president and the hundred members of the Central Committee. The party held its congress at Tours for two days (15–16 January 2011).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme-congres-tours.pdf |title=Official programme of the XIVth congress of the National Front |publisher=] |accessdate=14 February 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304072404/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme-congres-tours.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2011}}</ref> On 16 January 2011, Marine Le Pen was officially elected with 67.65% (11,546 votes) as the new president of the Front National<ref name="Marine" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703551604576085830320266312.html|title=Le Pen's Daughter Takes Party Helm|work=]|author=Sebastian Moffett|date=17 January 2011|accessdate=18 January 2011}}</ref> and Jean-Marie Le Pen became de facto its honorary chairman. Her challenger ] polled 32.35% (5,522 votes). | |||
==Leadership of the National Front/National Rally 2011-2022== | |||
====Controversy==== | |||
Marine Le Pen stirred up controversy during the internal campaign. During a speech to the party faithful in ] on 10 December 2010, she said that the weekly illegal blocking of public streets and squares in multiple French cities (notably the rue Myrha in the ]) for Muslim prayers was comparable with an occupation of parts of French territory. Specifically, Le Pen said: | |||
=== Rebranding of the National Front === | |||
{{quote|For those who want to talk a lot about World War II, if it's about occupation, then we could also talk about it (Muslim prayers in the streets), because that is occupation of territory ... It is an occupation of sections of the territory, of districts in which religious laws apply ... There are of course no tanks, there are no soldiers, but it is nevertheless an occupation and it weighs heavily on local residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8197895/Marine-Le-Pen-Muslims-in-France-like-Nazi-occupation.html|title=Marine Le Pen: Muslims in France 'like Nazi occupation'|work=The Telegraph (UK)|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=4 February 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref>}} | |||
Le Pen has pursued a policy of "de-demonisation" of her party, to reform its image away from the extremism associated with her father, the former leader of the party and to increase the appeal of the party to voters. This has included policy reform and personnel replacement, including the expulsion of her own father from the party in 2015. Measures aimed at de-demonisation have included dropping all references to ] or to the ], which is often looked on as a generation gap.<ref name="Gérald Andrieu">{{cite web |last=Andrieu |first=Gérald |date=14 April 2010 |title=J.Fourquet: "Marine Le Pen has irrupted during the Mitterrand scandal" (in French) |url=http://www.marianne.net/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711062138/http://www.marianne.net/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |archive-date=11 July 2015 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=Marianne (magazine)}}</ref> and distancing herself from her father's views.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 March 2009 |title=Marine Le Pen: "Gas chambers are not a detail of World War II" |url=http://www.leparisien.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-les-chambres-a-gaz-ne-sont-pas-un-detail-27-03-2009-457192.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303174705/http://www.leparisien.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-les-chambres-a-gaz-ne-sont-pas-un-detail-27-03-2009-457192.php |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
] march, 3 May 2007|289x289px]] | |||
The mention of World War II brought claims from the media and politicians that she had drawn an irresponsible parallel with the ] (May 1940 – December 1944).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00450-m-le-pen-choque-sur-les-prieres-de-rue.php|title=Marine Le Pen shocks on street prayers|work=Le Figaro|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Nearly the entire political and media class strongly criticised her statement, which was widely commented on by different political analysts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/lyon-69000/marine-le-pen-sort-l-oriflamme-fasciste-selon-des-responsables-ps-11-12-2010-1187348.php |title=Marine Le Pen "reveals fascist banner" according to PS officials|work=Le Parisien|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/12/11/marine-le-pen-compare-les-prieres-de-rue-des-musulmans-a-une-occupation_1452359_823448.html|title=Marine Le Pen compares the "Muslims' street prayers" to an "occupation"|work=Le Monde|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWqQS0SL9KM&lr=1|title=Marine Le Pen compares the "street prayers" to the "Occupation" of France|publisher=]|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118815|title=Marine Le Pen at the heart of actuality|work=France 2 (Nations Presse Info)|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/mon-figaro/2010/12/12/10001-20101212ARTFIG00179-decalage.php|title=Gap|work=Le Figaro |author=Anne Fulda|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Politique/Actualite/Marine-cote-pile-Le-Pen-cote-face-241995/|title=Marine Le Pen : Marine tails, Le Pen heads|work=] |date=12 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Whereas the ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118902|title=The CRIF denounces Marine Le Pen|work=Nations Presse Info|date=14 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> the ] (CFCM)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/11/97001-20101211FILWWW00610-marine-le-pen-propos-irresponsables.php|title=Marine Le Pen : "irresponsible" words|work=Le Figaro|date=11 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/14/97001-20101214FILWWW00478-la-licra-condamne-les-propos-de-le-pen.php|title=The Licra condemns Marine Le Pen's language|work=Le Figaro|date=14 December 2010|accessdate=16 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> denounced her statement, other groups like the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualite/politique/20101212.OBS4574/plainte-contre-marine-le-pen-pour-incitation-a-la-haine-raciale.html|title=The MRAP lodges a formal complaint against Marine Le Pen for racial hatred|work=Le Nouvel Observateur|date=12 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/12/13/97001-20101213FILWWW00441-marine-le-pen-plainte-de-la-ldh.php|title=Marine Le Pen : the LDH lodges a formal complaint|work=Le Figaro|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> declared their intention of lodging a formal complaint. The ] of the ] and former president of the CFCM, ], claimed that though her parallel was questionable and condemnable, she had asked a valid question.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-pose-une-vraie-question.70975 |title=Marine Le Pen asked a valid question |work=France Soir |date=14 December 2010 |accessdate=17 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216225840/http://www.francesoir.fr:80/politique/marine-le-pen-pose-une-vraie-question.70975 |archivedate=16 December 2010 |df=dmy}}</ref> | |||
], a strong opponent of the FN, described Le Pen's leadership of it as "far-right with a human face".<ref>{{cite web |last=Lévy |first=Bernard-Henri |date=26 March 2010 |title=Now, Marine Le Pen (in French) |url=http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-chroniques/2010-03-26/maintenant-marine-le-pen/989/0/438058 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126114357/http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-chroniques/2010-03-26/maintenant-marine-le-pen/989/0/438058 |archive-date=26 January 2017 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref> The measures have also attracted criticism from former allies as making the party too mainstream, abandoning long-held policies and ignoring grassroots support.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2021 |title=France's far-right Marine Le Pen under fire for going mainstream |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210703-france-s-far-right-marine-le-pen-under-fire-for-going-mainstream |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405161753/https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210703-france-s-far-right-marine-le-pen-under-fire-for-going-mainstream |archive-date=5 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
A member of the FN's Executive Committee, ], denounced "the attempted manipulation of opinion by communitarian groups and those really responsible for the current situation in France".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6187 |title=Statement about communitarianism and those really responsible for the current situation in France |publisher=] |author=] |date=16 December 2010 |accessdate=17 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408123205/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6187 |archivedate=8 April 2011 }}</ref> On 13 December 2010, she confirmed her statement during a press conference held in the FN's headquarters in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6164 |title=Our occupied streets : Marine Le Pen's press conference |publisher=] |date=14 December 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825005356/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6164 |archivedate=25 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/marine-le-pen-persiste-et-signe-a-propos-de-l-occupation-13-12-2010-1274668_240.php|title=Marine Le Pen "confirms and signs" for "the Occupation"|work=Le Point|date=13 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118982|title=Marine Le Pen confirms and signs|work=BFM TV (Nations Presse Info)|date=14 December 2010|accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> After ]'s comments on BFM TV on 13 December 2010, she denounced "state manipulation" mounted from the ] with the intention of demonizing her in public opinion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6169 |title=Controversy of the street prayers. This is state manipulation : the proof ! |publisher=] |date=14 December 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219081632/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6169 |archivedate=19 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118990 |title=Revelations : Marine Le Pen badmouthed by the Elysée|publisher=BFM TV (''Nations Presse Info'')|date=14 December 2010 |accessdate=14 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In a 2010 ] interview, Le Pen stated that her strategy was not about changing the FN's program but about showing it as it really is, instead of the image given to it by the media in the previous decades. The media and her political adversaries are accused of spreading an "unfair, wrong and caricatural" image of the National Front. She refuses the qualification of far-right or extreme-right, considering it a pejorative term: "How am I party of the extreme right? ... I don't think that our propositions are extreme propositions, whatever the subject".<ref>{{cite web |last=Chrisafis |first=Angelique |date=21 March 2011 |title=Marine Le Pen emerges from father's shadow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/marine-lepen-defends-republic |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030002744/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/marine-lepen-defends-republic |archive-date=30 October 2016 |access-date=29 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
On 15 December 2015, the Lyon court acquitted her of "inciting hatred", considering that her statement "did not target all of the Muslim community" and was protected "as a part of freedom of expression".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20151215-france-le-pen-acquitted-hatred|title=French far-right leader Marine Le Pen acquitted of inciting hatred|publisher=]|date=15 December 2015|accessdate=3 January 2016|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In 2014, the American magazine '']'' mentioned her, along with four other French people, in its list of the 100 global thinkers of the year, underlining the way she "renovated the image" of her party, which had become a model for other right-wing parties in Europe after her success in the ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Pottier |first=Jean-Marie |date=26 November 2014 |title=Five Frenchmen, including Marine Le Pen, in the 2014 Foreign Policy list |url=http://www.slate.fr/story/95101/francais-classement-penseurs-mondiaux |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818013409/http://www.slate.fr/story/95101/francais-classement-penseurs-mondiaux |archive-date=18 August 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016 |magazine=] |language=fr}}</ref> At a European level, she stopped the alliance built by her father with some right-wing extremist parties and refused to be part of a group with the radical ] or the ] ]. Her transnational allies share the fact that they have officially condemned ], accepted a more liberal approach toward social matters, and are sometimes pro-Israel such as the Dutch ]. French historian Nicolas Lebourg concluded that she is looked upon as a compass for them to follow while maintaining local particularities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Crépon |first1=Sylvain |title=Les Faux-semblants du Front national: sociologie d'un parti politique |last2=Dézé |first2=Alexandre |last3=Mayer |first3=Nonna |author-link3=Nonna Mayer |date=2015 |publisher=Presses de Sciences Po |isbn=978-2-7246-1810-5 |location=Paris, France |pages=64–65 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Domenach |first1=Hugo |last2=Lebourg |first2=Nicolas |date=10 October 2016 |title=Marine Le Pen have taken the leadership of the European far-right (in French) |url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-a-pris-le-leadership-de-l-extreme-droite-en-europe-10-10-2016-2074883_20.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013162945/http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-a-pris-le-leadership-de-l-extreme-droite-en-europe-10-10-2016-2074883_20.php |archive-date=13 October 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
==Media rise (2002–2011)== | |||
While other European populists embraced ]'s ] in the ], she said only, "For France, anything is better than ]". However, on 8 November 2016, she posted a ] congratulating Trump on his election.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 November 2016 |title=Marine Le Pen on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/796235915387699200 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110035730/https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/796235915387699200 |archive-date=10 November 2016 |access-date=10 November 2016 |via=Twitter}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} | |||
===National media=== | |||
] | |||
Her various appearances on television and radio have played an important role in her political rise at national and local levels. Her political personality regularly attracts the attention of the French media<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/Marine-Le-Pen_a195910.html |title=Marine Le Pen |work=] |author=Philippe Cohen |date=31 July 2010 |accessdate=19 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108110948/http://www.marianne2.fr:80/Marine-Le-Pen_a195910.html |archivedate=8 November 2010 |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/ennemie-n-des-partis-politiques-francais-3407/|title=The arch-enemy of the French political parties|work=Le Nouvel Économiste|author=Michèle Cotta|date=24 August 2010|accessdate=20 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Politique/Actu/Marine-Le-Pen-le-nouveau-visage-de-l-extreme-droite-223686/|title=Marine Le Pen: the new face of the far-right|work=]|date=5 November 2010|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.larevueparlementaire.fr/pages/RP-934/RP934-entretien-lepen.htm |title=Interview with Marine Le Pen : "My aim is to come to power in order to implement my ideas" |work=La Revue Parlementaire |author=Antoine de Font-Réaulx |date=March 2011 |accessdate=9 April 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403042421/http://www.larevueparlementaire.fr:80/pages/RP-934/RP934-entretien-lepen.htm |archivedate=3 April 2011 |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/fil-info-reuters/barack-obama-est-plus-a-droite-que-moi-dit-marine-le-pen-01-09-2011-1368825_240.php|title="Barack Obama is more on my right" says Marine Le Pen|work=Le Point|author=Patrick Vignal|date=1 September 2011|accessdate=29 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> as well as the European,<ref name="guardian" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772875,00.html|title=Madame Rage: Marine Le Pen's Populism for the Masses (Part 1: Marine Le Pen's Populism for the Masses, Part 2: The Divide Between the Governing and the Governed, Part 3: 'As a Woman, You Have a Close Relationship with Reality'|work=Der Spiegel |author=Mathieu von Rohr|date=7 July 2011|accessdate=11 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12202197|title=Profile : Marine Le Pen|publisher=BBC News |date=16 January 2011|accessdate=24 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="SkyNews">{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/home/politics/article/16088568 |title=Marine Le Pen praises UK riot response |publisher=] |author=] |date=14 October 2011 |accessdate=18 October 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015230559/http://news.sky.com:80/home/politics/article/16088568 |archivedate=15 October 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="Kommersant">{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1793754|title=France will pull out of NATO – Marine Le Pen speaks to Kommersant about her programme|work=]|date=13 October 2011|accessdate=18 October 2011|language=ru}}</ref> the Middle Eastern<ref name="Haaretz">{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/the-daughter-as-de-demonizer-1.335743|title=The daughter as de-demonizer|work=Haaretz|author=Adar Primor|date=7 January 2011|accessdate=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2011/07/201171074514187277.html|title=France's Le Pen sizes up her rivals|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=10 July 2011|accessdate=11 July 2011}}</ref> and the US press.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2040141,00.html|title=Marine Le Pen: Her Father's Daughter|work=Time|author=Bruce Crumley|date=3 February 2011|accessdate=12 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-france-le-pen-20110117,0,1943134.story|title=A new Le Pen will lead the French far right|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Devorah Lauter |date=17 January 2011|accessdate=30 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/le-pen-mightier_552978.html|title=Le Pen is mightier|work=]|author=]|date=14 March 2011 |accessdate=6 March 2011}}</ref> | |||
Her social program and her support of ] in the ] led ] to declare her a far-left politician sharing some of ]'s propositions. President ] said she was talking "like a leaflet of the ]". ], then known as a journalist for the conservative newspaper '']'', wrote during the ] that the FN had become a left-wing party under the influence of adviser ]. She has also relaxed some political positions of the party, advocating for ]s for same-sex couples instead of her party's previous opposition to legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, accepting current abortion laws, and withdrawing the restitution of the death penalty from her platform.<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite news |author=Abel Mestre |date=6 November 2014 |title=When Marine Le Pen goes on her left (in French) |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2014/11/06/quand-marine-braconne-a-gauche_4519523_823448.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919044827/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2014/11/06/quand-marine-braconne-a-gauche_4519523_823448.html |archive-date=19 September 2015 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=Le Monde}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mestre |first=Abel |date=20 January 2015 |title=Marine Le Pen: " Yes, we expect SYRIZA's victory" (in French) |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2015/01/20/marine-le-pen-oui-nous-esperons-la-victoire-de-syriza_4559743_823448.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122162714/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2015/01/20/marine-le-pen-oui-nous-esperons-la-victoire-de-syriza_4559743_823448.html |archive-date=22 January 2017 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
On 5 May 2002, after the run-off in the ], she took part in a televised debate on ]. Political analysts compared her appearance to a "media baptism" and claim that her political emergence has its roots in this debate. | |||
Despite Le Pen's attempts to make the National Front more palatable to the international community, the party and Le Pen herself continue to attract criticism: German Chancellor ] has said she "will contribute to make other political forces stronger than the National Front";<ref>{{cite web |last=Kroet |first=Cynthia |date=5 May 2016 |title=Marine Le Pen slams Angela Merkel's 'humiliating,' 'outrageous' comments on French leadership |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-slams-angela-merkels-humiliating-outrageous-comments-on-french-leadership/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=]}}</ref> Israel still holds a negative opinion of her party;<ref>{{cite news |last=Faye |first=Olivier |date=26 April 2016 |title=On the foreign stage, Marine Le Pen victim of the demonization |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2016/04/26/a-l-etranger-marine-le-pen-confrontee-a-la-diabolisation_4908749_823448.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029114128/http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2016/04/26/a-l-etranger-marine-le-pen-confrontee-a-la-diabolisation_4908749_823448.html |archive-date=29 October 2016 |access-date=28 October 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=26 April 2016 |title=Angela Merkel wants to fight against the rise of the National Front |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2016/05/03/angela-merkel-veut-lutter-contre-la-montee-du-fn-en-france_4913118_3214.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031085237/http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2016/05/03/angela-merkel-veut-lutter-contre-la-montee-du-fn-en-france_4913118_3214.html |archive-date=31 October 2016 |access-date=30 October 2016 |work=] |language=fr}}</ref> and former ] leader ] – himself a frequent critic of Islam and immigration<ref>{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Georgia |date=5 January 2014 |title=Nigel Farage: 'the basic principle' of Enoch Powell's River of Blood speech is right |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10552055/Nigel-Farage-the-basic-principle-of-Enoch-Powells-River-of-Blood-speech-is-right.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106081743/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/10552055/Nigel-Farage-the-basic-principle-of-Enoch-Powells-River-of-Blood-speech-is-right.html |archive-date=6 January 2014 |access-date=7 January 2014 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Rowena |date=12 March 2015 |title=Nigel Farage: British Muslim "fifth column" fuels immigration fear |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/12/nigel-farage-british-muslim-fifth-column-fuels-immigration-fear-ukip |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312130041/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/12/nigel-farage-british-muslim-fifth-column-fuels-immigration-fear-ukip |archive-date=12 March 2015 |access-date=12 March 2015 |work=]}}</ref> – has said, "I've never said a bad word about Marine Le Pen; I've never said a good word about her party".<ref>{{cite web |date=26 December 2016 |title=The Secret Diary of Nigel Farage: Why He Thinks Marine Le Pen Is Left Wing |url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/ukip/nigel-farage/nigel-farage-marine-le-pen-is-left-wing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227070638/http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/ukip/nigel-farage/nigel-farage-marine-le-pen-is-left-wing/ |archive-date=27 December 2016 |access-date=26 December 2016 |publisher=LBC}}</ref> | |||
During the programme ''Mots croisés'' (Crossed Words) on ] on 5 October 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1784|title=Marine Le Pen during the ''Mots croisés'' programme on France 2 (Theme: sex crimes – How to prevent subsequent offences ?)|publisher=]|date=8 October 2009|accessdate=7 June 2011|language=fr}}</ref> Marine Le Pen quoted sections of ]'s autobiographical novel '']'', accusing him of having sex with underage boys and engaging in "]", demanding his resignation as a ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6270217/Frederic-Mitterrand-admitted-to-paying-for-sex-with-young-boys-in-Thailand.html|title=Frédéric Mitterrand admitted to paying for sex with 'young boys' in Thailand|work=The Daily Telegraph|author=Henry Samuel|date=7 October 2009|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mitterrand-fights-for-his-job-after-rent-boy-admission-1799299.html|title=Mitterrand fights for his job after rent boy admission|work=The Independent |location=UK|author=John Lichfield|date=8 October 2009|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1929246,00.html|title=Mitterrand: a Friend to Polanski – and Young Boys?|work=Time|author=Bruce Crumley|date=8 October 2009|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8299171.stm|title='Bad Life' minister's colourful dynasty|publisher=BBC News |author=Hugh Schofield|date=9 October 2009|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref> According to French political commentator Jérôme Fourquet, during the Mitterrand case she broke through and gained a media ascendancy over the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |title=J. Fourquet: "Marine Le Pen has broken through the Mitterrand case" |work=] |date=14 April 2010 |accessdate=7 June 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721105545/http://www.marianne2.fr/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |archivedate=21 July 2011 |df=dmy}}</ref> | |||
===First steps as a New leader: 2011=== | |||
Hosted on France 2 by journalist and commentator ], ''À vous de juger'' (You Be The Judge) was one of France's foremost political programmes. For her first appearance as a guest debater on 14 January 2010, Marine Le Pen opposed ], then Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually Supportive Development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3513|title=''À vous de juger'': debate between Marine Le Pen and Éric Besson|publisher=]|date=15 January 2010|accessdate=27 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref>]For her first appearance as a main guest on 9 December 2010, she was successively questioned on economic, societal and immigration matters by Arlette Chabot and political commentator ], then debated with the socialist ] of ] ] and finally was matched against ], former ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6150 |title=Marine Le Pen in ''À vous de juger'': replies to Arlette Chabot (1st part), replies to Alain Duhamel (2nd part), talks with Manuel Valls (3rd part), debate with Rachida Dati (4th part) |publisher=] |date=10 December 2010 |accessdate=20 September 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907010858/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6150 |archivedate=7 September 2011 }}</ref> Her appearance attracted 3,356,000 viewers (14.6% of the televised audience),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118286|title=Marine Le Pen boosts the audience of ''À vous de juger''|work=Nations Presse Info (])|date=10 December 2010|accessdate=27 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> which represented the highest viewing figures for 2010 and the fourth best since the start of the series in September 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/chroniqueurs-du-point/emmanuel-berretta/bon-score-pour-marine-le-pen-chez-arlette-chabot-10-12-2010-1273547_52.php|title=Marine Le Pen got a high score in ''À vous de juger''|work=Le Point |language=French|author=Emmanuel Berretta|date=10 December 2010|accessdate=27 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
In December 2010, French journalist Guillaume Tabard described her as the "revelation of the year". He further described her as "first an electoral phenomenon" and "a media phenomenon after".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.lesechos.fr/guillaume-tabard/le-pen-bis-repetitat-a4819.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102040850/http://blogs.lesechos.fr:80/guillaume-tabard/le-pen-bis-repetitat-a4819.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=2 January 2011 |title=Le Pen, bis repetita |work=] |author=Guillaume Tabard |date=31 December 2010 |accessdate=31 December 2010 |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Hosted on France 2 by journalist and anchorman ], ''Des paroles et des actes'' (Words and Acts) replaced ''À vous de juger''. For her first appearance as a main guest on 23 June 2011, Le Pen opposed ], national secretary of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7091 |title=Marine Le Pen on France 2 |publisher=] |date=24 June 2011 |accessdate=24 June 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627115241/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7091 |archivedate=27 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/politique/marine-pen-relance-machine-112899.html|title=Marine Le Pen revives the machine|work=France Soir |language=French|date=24 June 2011|accessdate=25 June 2011}}</ref> Her appearance attracted 3,582,000 viewers which represented 15.1% of the televised audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tele.premiere.fr/News-Tele/Audiences-TV-TF1-en-tete-avec-Interpol-bon-score-pour-le-premier-numero-de-Des-paroles-et-des-actes-2765118|title=''Des paroles et des actes'' on France 2: viewers and televised audience (statistics)|work=]|date=24 June 2011|accessdate=24 June 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Medias/Television/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-toujours-championne-de-l-audimat-336005/?from=cover|title=Marine Le Pen still champion of the ratings|work=]|date=24 June 2011|accessdate=24 June 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Hosted on ] by anchorwoman ] and political commentator ], ''Parole directe'' (Direct Speech) is one of France's foremost political programmes. For her first appearance as a sole guest on 15 September 2011, Le Pen attracted an average of 6 million viewers (23.3% of the televised audience) with a peak of 7.3 million in the second half of the programme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://videos.tf1.fr/parole-directe/parole-directe-avec-marine-le-pen-l-emission-integrale-6705152.html|title="Direct speech" with Marine Le Pen|publisher=]|date=15 September 2011|accessdate=16 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/audiences-marine-le-pen-suivie-par-6-millions-de-telespectateurs-sur-tf1/436474|title=TV audience: Marine Le Pen followed on TF1 by 6 millions of viewers|publisher=]|date=16 September 2011|accessdate=16 September 2011 |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
===International media=== | |||
At an international level, she was invited by the ] web-radio ''Rockik'' in December 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=18934|title=Marine Le Pen on the Québec webradio ''Rockik''|work=Nations Presse Info'' (''Rockik)|date=8 December 2008|accessdate=27 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> the ] (''Radio Canada'') in May 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=101890|title=Marine Le Pen on ''Radio Canada''|work=Nations Presse Info (])|date=21 May 2010|accessdate=27 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and the Israeli radio 90FM in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6731 |title=Marine Le Pen on the Israeli radio 90FM |publisher=] |date=31 March 2011 |accessdate=31 March 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824183115/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6731 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> In March 2011, she appeared on the front cover page of '']'' magazine with the heading "The Future of the European Right?".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/tws/Search/SearchIssues.asp?from_year=2011&from_month=03&to_year=2011&to_month=03&x=36&y=9|title=Cover Gallery|work=]|date=March 2011|accessdate=8 March 2011}}</ref> During a press conference organized on 13 January 2012 by the European American Press Club, she spoke in front of international journalists about various topical and thematic issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-invitee-par-leuropean-american-press-club/|title=Marine Le Pen invited by the European American Press Club|work=Front National|date=19 January 2012|accessdate=6 February 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
On 4 April 2011, she appeared for the first time as a candidate in the 2011 ] Poll.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2058044_2060338_2060199,00.html|title=Marine Le Pen (The 2011 TIME 100 Poll)|work=Time |date=4 April 2011|accessdate=22 April 2011}}</ref> On 21 April, she was listed in the 2011 Time 100.<ref name="MLPTIME" /> ], leader of the far-right ] and vice chairman of the ], wrote a commentary about her political destiny.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066134,00.html|title=Marine Le Pen (The 2011 TIME 100)|work=Time|author=]|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=22 April 2011}}</ref> | |||
In October 2011, she presented her book in ] and met Assunta Almirante, the widow of the ] ] leader ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://droites-extremes.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/10/22/marine-le-pen-en-italie-lombre-portee-du-msi/ |title=Marine Le Pen en Italie: l’ombre portée du MSI | Droite(s) extrême(s) |publisher=Droites-extremes.blog.lemonde.fr |date= |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> The logo of the Front National was inspired by the MSI logo. | |||
In February 2013, she spoke at the ], the University of Cambridge's debating society. Her appearance sparked controversy, with anti-] group ] opposing her invitation on a ] basis and organising a demonstration of about 200 people outside the venue.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Marine Le Pen sparks Cambridge protests |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/9881110/Marine-Le-Pen-sparks-Cambridge-protests.html |newspaper=] |location=London |publisher=] |date=19 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pilgrim |first=Sophie |date=19 February 2013 |title=Marine Le Pen sparks protest on Cambridge visit |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130219-marine-le-pen-protest-cambridge-union-french/ |newspaper=] |location=Paris |publisher=]}}</ref> The protests were supported by numerous Cambridge societies, including ] and ], however others, notably the Cambridge Libertarians,<ref>{{cite press release |last=Root |first=James |date=17 February 2013 |title=No Platform for Marine Le Pen – A Response by Cambridge Libertarians |url=http://www.cambridgelibertarians.org.uk/blog/2013/no-platform-for-marine-le-pen-a-response/ |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Cambridge Libertarians |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118144449/http://www.cambridgelibertarians.org.uk:80/blog/2013/no-platform-for-marine-le-pen-a-response/ |archivedate=18 January 2014 |df=dmy}}</ref> supported her right to freedom of expression. | |||
==President of the FN== | |||
===De-demonization of the FN=== | |||
From a general point of view, Marine Le Pen is often judged more moderate than her father. A part of the French electorate considers her positions more nuanced, polished and detoxified than ]'s "''provocations''". Her smiling, calm image contrasts with much of the stereotypes generally attributed to her political family.<ref name="Titiou Lecoq">{{cite web |url=http://regionales2010.slate.fr/article/4563/marine-le-pen-la-nouvelle-ligne-du-front/ |title=Marine Le Pen, the Front's new stance (in French)|work=Slate.fr |author=Titiou Lecoq |date=19 March 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> At the beginning of her media rise, she often talked about her particular treatment as the daughter of "Le Pen" and of the 1976 attack (then the biggest bomb explosion in France since ]).<ref name="Titiou Lecoq" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xf9eb6_interview-de-marine-le-pen_news |title=Interview of Marine Le Pen in 2006 (in French)|work=INA|author=|date=18 October 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> It has been seen as a way to humanize her party.<ref name="Titiou Lecoq" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mots.revues.org/392 |title=A far-right woman in the media (in French)|work= Mots. Les langages du politique|author=Julie Boudillon |date=2005|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
] march, 3 May 2007|289x289px]] | |||
For example, ], a strong opponent of the FN, talked about "''a far-right with a human face''".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-chroniques/2010-03-26/maintenant-marine-le-pen/989/0/438058|title=Now, Marine Le Pen (in French)|work=Le Point |author=Bernard-Henri Lévy |date=26 March 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> Journalist ] claims that the fact she is a young woman condemning racism and refusing her father's "''faults''" (notably his enjoyment of shocking other people) contributed to her strategy of de-demonization of the National Front.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/la-dediabolisation-du-front-national-7246/ |title=The de-demonization of the National Front (in French)|publisher=lenouveleconomiste.fr |author=Michèle Cotta|date=10 December 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> References to World War II or to the ] are absent from her speeches, which is often looked on as a generation gap.<ref name="Gérald Andrieu">{{cite web |url=http://www.marianne.net/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |title=J.Fourquet: "Marine Le Pen has irrupted during the Mitterrand scandal" (in French)|work=Marianne |author=Gérald Andrieu|date=14 April 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> She distanced herself from her father on the gas chambers he famously called "''a detail in the history of World War II''", saying that she "''didn't share the same vision of these events''".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-les-chambres-a-gaz-ne-sont-pas-un-detail-27-03-2009-457192.php |title=Marine Le Pen: "Gas chambers are not a detail of World War II"|work=Le Parisien |author= |date=27 March 2009|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> '']'' wrote that the expulsion of Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2015 was the completion of her endeavour. The opponents of the FN denounce it as a more dangerous strategy because of its evident success.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.challenges.fr/politique/20150315.CHA3874/fn-quand-robert-menard-complique-la-strategie-de-marine-le-pen.html|title= When Marine Le Pen's strategy turns down (in French)|work=Challenges |author=Maurice Szafran |date=15 March 2015|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
In a 2010 ] interview, Le Pen stated that her strategy was not about changing the FN's program but about showing it as it really is, instead of the image given to it by the media in the previous decades. The media and her political adversaries are accused of spreading an "''unfair, wrong and caricatural''" image of the National Front. She refuses the qualification of far-right or extreme-right, considering it a "pejorative" term : "How am I party of the extreme right? ... I don't think that our propositions are extreme propositions, whatever the subject".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/21/marine-lepen-defends-republic|title=Marine Le Pen emerges from father's shadow|work=The Guardian|author=Angelique Chrisafis|date=21 March 2011|accessdate=29 October 2016}}</ref> However, the radical far-right (e.g., '']'', '']'', ], ]) reproached her for abandoning or softening her stance on immigration, gay marriage and abortion. In her speech in Lyon on 10 December 2010, she mentioned the fate of gays living in difficult neighbourhoods, victims of religious laws replacing the republican law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtl.fr/actu/politique/marine-le-pen-les-idees-du-fn-sont-extremement-modernes-5938641563 |title=Marine Le Pen: "the FN ideas are extremely modern" (in French)|publisher=RTL.fr |author=Bernard Poirette|date=16 April 2010|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/non-classe/exclusif-np-info-lettre-ouverte-de-marine-le-pen-a-carl-lang|title=Open letter from Marine Le Pen to Carl Lang (in French)|work=Nations Presse Info |author=Olivier de Granvil|date=24 November 2008|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref>Gays in Lyon, 18 December 2010</ref> | |||
In 2014, the American magazine '']'' mentioned her, along with four other Frenchmen, in its list of the 100 global thinkers of the year, underlining the way she "''renovated the image''" of her party, which had became a model for other right-wing parties in ] after her success in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.fr/story/95101/francais-classement-penseurs-mondiaux |title=Five Frenchmen, including Marine Le Pen, in the 2014 Foreign Policy list (in French)|work=Slate|author=Jean-Marie Pottier|date=26 November 2014|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> At a European level, she stopped the alliance built by her father with some right-wing extremist parties and refused to be part of a group with the radical ] or the neo-nazi ]. Her transnational allies share the fact that they have officially condemned ], accepted a more liberal approach toward social matters and are sometimes pro-] such as the Dutch ]. French historian Nicolas Lebourg concluded that she is looked upon as a compass for them to follow while maintaining local particularities.<ref>Sylvain Crépon, Alexandre Dézé, Nonna Mayer, Les Faux-semblants du Front national : sociologie d'un parti politique, Presses de Sciences Po, 2015, p. 64-65.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-a-pris-le-leadership-de-l-extreme-droite-en-europe-10-10-2016-2074883_20.php |title=Marine Le Pen have taken the leadership of the European far-right (in French)|work=Le Point|author=Hugo Domenach and Nicolas Lebourg |date=10 October 2016|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
For a long time, she has been reluctant to endorse ], while other European populists have already embraced his candidacy, and only supported him by saying: "For France, anything is better than ]". However, on 8 November 2016 she posted a tweet congratulating Trump on his presidential victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/796235915387699200 |title=Marine Le Pen on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|date=8 November 2016}}</ref> Nevertheless, her strategy has difficulties as her image seems to remain controversial: Germany's Angela Merkel has said she will "I will contribute to make other political forces be stronger than the National Front" and Israel still holds a bad opinion of her party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2016/04/26/a-l-etranger-marine-le-pen-confrontee-a-la-diabolisation_4908749_823448.html|title=On the foreign stage, Marine Le Pen victim of the demonization|work=Le Monde|author=Olivier Faye|date=26 April 2016|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2016/05/03/angela-merkel-veut-lutter-contre-la-montee-du-fn-en-france_4913118_3214.html |title=Angela Merkel wants to fight against the rise of the National Front (in French)|work=Le Monde |author=|date=26 April 2016 |accessdate=30 October 2016}}</ref> Nigel Farage has said: "I've never said a bad word about Marine Le Pen; I've never said a good word about her party".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/parties/ukip/nigel-farage/nigel-farage-marine-le-pen-is-left-wing/ |title=The Secret Diary Of Nigel Farage: Why He Thinks Marine Le Pen Is Left Wing |publisher=LBC |date=26 December 2016|accessdate=26 December 2016}}</ref> | |||
Her social program and her support of ] in the ] have led ] to declare her a far-left politician sharing some of ]'s propositions. President ] said she was talking "''like a leaflet of the ]''". ], journalist for the conservative newspaper '']'', wrote during the ] that the FN had become a left-wing party under the influence of ]. She has also relaxed some political positions of the party, advocating for ]s for same-sex couples instead of her party's previous opposition to legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, accepting unconditional abortion and withdrawing the death penalty from her platform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2014/11/06/quand-marine-braconne-a-gauche_4519523_823448.html |title=When Marine Le Pen goes on her left (in French)|work=Le Monde|author=Abel Mestre|date=6 November 2014|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2015/01/20/marine-le-pen-oui-nous-esperons-la-victoire-de-syriza_4559743_823448.html |title=Marine Le Pen : « Yes, we expect SYRIZA's victory" (in French)|work=Le Monde|author=Abel Mestre|date=20 January 2015|accessdate=28 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref name="auto2" /><ref name="auto3" /> | |||
===First steps as a new leader: 2011=== | |||
] | ] | ||
As a president of the Front National, Marine Le Pen currently sits as an ''ex officio'' member among the FN Executive Office (8 members),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/bureau-executif/|title=The Executive Office|work=Front National| |
As a president of the Front National, Marine Le Pen currently sits as an ''ex officio'' member among the FN Executive Office (8 members),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/bureau-executif/|title=The Executive Office|work=Front National|access-date=17 January 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025234217/http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/bureau-executif/|archive-date=25 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> the Executive Committee (42 members)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/bureau-politique/ |title=The Executive Committee |publisher=Front National |access-date=17 January 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025122334/http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/bureau-politique/ |archive-date=25 October 2011}}</ref> and the Central Committee (3 ''ex officio'' members, 100 elected members, 20 co-opted members).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/comite-central/ |title=The Central Committee |publisher=] |access-date=21 January 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730205933/http://www.frontnational.com/fonctions/comite-central/ |archive-date=30 July 2012}}</ref> | ||
During her opening speech in Tours on 16 January 2011, she advocated to "restore the political framework of the national community" and to implement the ] which enables the "civic responsibility and the collective tie" thanks to the participation of public-spirited citizens for the decisions. The predominant political theme was the uncompromising defence of a protective and efficient ], which favours ], prosperity and liberties. She also denounced the "Europe of Brussels" which "everywhere imposed the destructive principles of ultra-liberalism and ], at the expense of public utilities, employment, social equity and even our economic growth which became within twenty years the weakest of the world".<ref name="speechtours">{{cite web |
During her opening speech in Tours on 16 January 2011, she advocated to "restore the political framework of the national community" and to implement the ] which enables the "civic responsibility and the collective tie" thanks to the participation of public-spirited citizens for the decisions. The predominant political theme was the uncompromising defence of a protective and efficient ], which favours ], prosperity and liberties. She also denounced the "Europe of Brussels" which "everywhere imposed the destructive principles of ultra-liberalism and ], at the expense of public utilities, employment, social equity and even our economic growth which became within twenty years the weakest of the world".<ref name="speechtours">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/congres-du-fn-a-tours-discours-d%E2%80%99investiture-de-marine-le-pen/|title=FN Congress in Tours: Marine Le Pen's opening speech|publisher=]|date=17 January 2011|access-date=24 January 2011|language=fr|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023626/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/congres-du-fn-a-tours-discours-d%E2%80%99investiture-de-marine-le-pen/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the traditional ] march and Labour Day march in Paris on 1 May 2011, she gave her first speech in front of 3,000 supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/discours-du-1er-mai-2011/|title=1 May march: Marine Le Pen's speech|publisher=]|date=1 May 2011|access-date=3 May 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125140539/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/discours-du-1er-mai-2011/|archive-date=25 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/1/briefing-page-briefs-971292619/|title=Marine Le Pen stakes out mainstream in speech|work=]|date=1 May 2011|access-date=3 May 2011|archive-date=6 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506133758/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/1/briefing-page-briefs-971292619/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
On 10 and 11 September 2011, she made her political comeback with the title "the voice of people, the spirit of France" in the convention center of ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/programme-jdt-nice-2011.pdf|title=Programme of the "Summer days Marine 2012"|publisher=]|access-date=11 September 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref> During her closing speech she addressed immigration, insecurity, the economic and social situation, reindustrialization and 'strong state'.<ref name="Nice">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/11-septembre-acropolis-nice-%E2%80%93-discours-de-marine-le-pen-videos/|title=Speech at the "Summer days of Marine Le Pen"|publisher=]|date=11 September 2011|access-date=11 September 2011|language=fr|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217031820/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/11-septembre-acropolis-nice-%E2%80%93-discours-de-marine-le-pen-videos/|url-status=dead}}</ref> During a demonstration held in front of the ] on 8 December 2011, she expressed in a speech her "firm and absolute opposition" to the ].<ref name="MLPVI">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/12/contre-le-droit-de-vote-des-etrangers-discours-de-marine-le-pen/|title=Against the right of foreigners to vote: Marine Le Pen's speech|publisher=Front National|date=8 December 2011|access-date=11 December 2011|language=fr}}{{Dead link|date=April 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She regularly held thematic press conferences<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/conferences-de-presse/|title=Press conferences|publisher=]|access-date=23 November 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127010032/http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/conferences-de-presse/|archive-date=27 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and interventions<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/videos-thematiques/|title=Thematic videos|publisher=]|access-date=23 November 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127193843/http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/videos-thematiques/|archive-date=27 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> on varied issues in French, European and international politics. | |||
After the traditional ] and Labor Day march in Paris on 1 May 2011, she gave her first speech in front of 3000 supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/discours-du-1er-mai-2011/|title=1 May march : Marine Le Pen's speech |publisher=Front National|date=1 May 2011|accessdate=3 May 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/1/briefing-page-briefs-971292619/|title=Marine Le Pen stakes out mainstream in speech|work=The Washington Times|date=1 May 2011|accessdate=3 May 2011}}</ref> On 11 August 2011, she held an exceptional press conference about the current systemic crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/conference-de-presse-exceptionnelle-de-marine-le-pen-sur-la-crise/|title=Marine Le Pen's exceptional press conference about the systemic crisis|publisher=Front National|date=11 August 2011|accessdate=11 August 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
===First presidential candidacy: 2011–2012=== | |||
On 10 and 11 September 2011, she made her political comeback with the title "the voice of people, the spirit of France" in the ] of ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/programme-jdt-nice-2011.pdf|title=Programme of the "Summer days Marine 2012"|publisher=]|accessdate=11 September 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref> During her closing speech on 11 September 2011, she tackled the audience about immigration, insecurity, the economic and social situation, reindustrialization and 'strong state'.<ref name="Nice">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/11-septembre-acropolis-nice-%E2%80%93-discours-de-marine-le-pen-videos/|title=Speech at the "Summer days of Marine Le Pen"|publisher=Front National|date=11 September 2011|accessdate=11 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
During a demonstration held in front of the ] on 8 December 2011, she expressed during a speech her "firm and absolute opposition" to the ].<ref name="MLPVI">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/12/contre-le-droit-de-vote-des-etrangers-discours-de-marine-le-pen/|title=Against the right of foreigners to vote : Marine Le Pen's speech|publisher=Front National|date=8 December 2011|accessdate=11 December 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
She regularly holds thematic press conferences<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/conferences-de-presse/|title=Press conferences|publisher=Front National|accessdate=23 November 2011|language=fr}}</ref> and interventions<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/categorie-videos/videos-thematiques/|title=Thematic videos|publisher=Front National|accessdate=23 November 2011|language=fr}}</ref> on varied issues in French, European and international politics. | |||
===First presidential candidacy: 2011–12=== | |||
{{Main|French presidential election, 2012|Marine Le Pen presidential campaign, 2012}} | {{Main|French presidential election, 2012|Marine Le Pen presidential campaign, 2012}} | ||
{{multiple image | |||
]" at the conclusion of the presentation of her presidential project held in Paris on 19 November 2011.|left|236x236px]]].|223x223px]]Marine Le Pen stood in the 2012 French presidential election. On 16 May 2011, her presidential candidacy was unanimously validated by the FN Executive Committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/05/16/97001-20110516FILWWW00642-la-candidature-le-pen-validee-par-le-fn.php|title=Marine Le Pen's candidacy validated by the FN|work=]|agency=AFP|date=16 May 2011|accessdate=23 June 2011|language=fr}}</ref> On 10 and 11 September 2011, her political comeback in Nice prefigured the launching of her presidential campaign.<ref name="Nice" /> During a press conference on 6 October 2011, she officially unveiled the line-up of her presidential campaign team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-presentation-de-son-equipe-de-campagne-presidentielle/|title=Marine Le Pen: presentation of her presidential campaign team |publisher=Front National|date=6 October 2011|accessdate=9 October 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
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| image1 = Marine Le Pen discours Banquet des Mille Paris XV 10-2011.jpg | |||
| image2 = Marine Le Pen, chantant la Marseillaise Paris louis maitrier banquet des Mille.jpg | |||
| footer = Le Pen on 19 November 2011 in Paris announcing her presidential candidacy (top) and singing "]" at the conclusion of her presentation (bottom) | |||
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On 16 May 2011, Marine Le Pen's presidential candidacy was unanimously approved by the FN Executive Committee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/05/16/97001-20110516FILWWW00642-la-candidature-le-pen-validee-par-le-fn.php|title=Marine Le Pen's candidacy validated by the FN|work=]|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=16 May 2011|access-date=23 June 2011|language=fr|archive-date=27 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627014236/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/05/16/97001-20110516FILWWW00642-la-candidature-le-pen-validee-par-le-fn.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 and 11 September 2011, she launched her presidential campaign in ].<ref name="Nice"/> On 6 October 2011, she held a press conference to introduce the members of her presidential campaign team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-presentation-de-son-equipe-de-campagne-presidentielle/|title=Marine Le Pen: presentation of her presidential campaign team|publisher=]|date=6 October 2011|access-date=9 October 2011|language=fr|archive-date=11 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111124502/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-presentation-de-son-equipe-de-campagne-presidentielle/|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
In a speech in Paris on 19 November 2011, Le Pen presented the main themes of her presidential campaign: sovereignty of the people and democracy, Europe, re-industrialisation and a strong state, family and education, immigration and assimilation versus ], geopolitics and international politics.<ref name="PP2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/presentation-du-projet-presidentiel-de-marine-le-pen/|title=Marine Le Pen's speech: presentation of her presidential project|publisher=]|date=19 November 2011|access-date=19 November 2011|language=fr|archive-date=25 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125161323/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/presentation-du-projet-presidentiel-de-marine-le-pen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1676242.php/French-far-right-leader-Le-Pen-unveils-presidential-programme |title=French far-right leader Le Pen unveils presidential programme |work=Monsters and Critics |date=19 November 2011 |access-date=9 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212154946/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1676242.php/French-far-right-leader-Le-Pen-unveils-presidential-programme |archive-date=12 February 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/19/marine-le-pen-euro_n_1103099.html?ref=world|title=Marine Le Pen, France Far-Right Presidential Candidate, Advocates Euro Exit|work=]|author=Thibault Leroux|date=19 November 2011|access-date=9 February 2012|archive-date=12 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812205804/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/19/marine-le-pen-euro_n_1103099.html?ref=world|url-status=live}}</ref> At a press conference on 12 January 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lci.tf1.fr/politique/entre-bonnes-et-mauvaises-depenses-marine-le-pen-chiffre-son-6933823.html |title=Between "good" and "bad" expenditures, Marine Le Pen assesses her project |work=] |date=12 January 2012 |access-date=12 January 2012 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113045545/http://lci.tf1.fr/politique/entre-bonnes-et-mauvaises-depenses-marine-le-pen-chiffre-son-6933823.html |archive-date=13 January 2012 }}</ref> she presented a detailed assessment of her presidential project,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/chiffrage-du-projet-presidentiel/|title=Assessment of the presidential project|publisher=Front National|date=12 January 2011|access-date=16 January 2011|language=fr|archive-date=15 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115024934/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/chiffrage-du-projet-presidentiel/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a plan to reduce France's debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/le-plan-de-desendettement-2013-de-la-france/|title=Plan of debt paydown of France|publisher=Front National|access-date=16 January 2011|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424020331/http://www.frontnational.com/le-plan-de-desendettement-2013-de-la-france/|url-status=dead}}</ref> At another press conference on 1 February 2012, she outlined her policies for the overseas departments and territories of France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/presentation-du-projet-presidentiel-pour-loutre-mer-questions-des-journalistes/|title=Presentation of the presidential project for overseas|publisher=]|date=1 February 2012|access-date=6 February 2012|language=fr|archive-date=5 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205043103/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/presentation-du-projet-presidentiel-pour-loutre-mer-questions-des-journalistes/|url-status=live}}</ref> Many observers noted her tendency to focus on economic and social issues such as globalization and delocalisations, rather than immigration or law and order, which had until then been the central issues for the FN. On 11 December 2011, she held her first campaign meeting in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/12/meeting-a-metz-discours-de-cloture-de-marine-le-pen/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123153447/http://www.frontnational.com/2011/12/meeting-a-metz-discours-de-cloture-de-marine-le-pen/|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2013|title=Meeting in Metz: Marine Le Pen's closing speech|work=]|date=12 December 2011|access-date=12 December 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lci.tf1.fr/politique/en-lorraine-marine-le-pen-veut-faire-entendre-la-voix-des-oublies-6871620.html |title=In Lorraine, Marine Le Pen wants to make listen the voice of "forgotten" people |work=] (LCI, The News Channel) |date=11 December 2011 |access-date=12 December 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211231022/http://lci.tf1.fr/politique/en-lorraine-marine-le-pen-veut-faire-entendre-la-voix-des-oublies-6871620.html |archive-date=11 December 2011 }}</ref> and from early January to mid-April 2012, she held similar meetings each week in the major French cities. On 17 April 2012, between 6,000 and 7,000 people participated part in her final campaign meeting, held at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/grand-meeting-de-marine-le-pen-au-zenith-a-paris/|title=Marine Le Pen's big meeting at the Zenith in Paris|publisher=]|date=17 April 2012|access-date=23 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=22 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422105532/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/grand-meeting-de-marine-le-pen-au-zenith-a-paris/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.lefigaro.fr/presidentielle-2012/2012/04/17/01039-20120417ARTFIG00687-le-pen-veut-leur-montrer-qu-ils-ont-tort.php|title=Le Pen wants "show them that they are wrong"|work=]|date=18 April 2012|access-date=23 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=22 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422000356/http://elections.lefigaro.fr/presidentielle-2012/2012/04/17/01039-20120417ARTFIG00687-le-pen-veut-leur-montrer-qu-ils-ont-tort.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 13 March 2012, she announced that she had collected the 500 signatures required to take part in the presidential election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-affirme-avoir-500-signatures-13-03-2012-1440634_324.php|title=Marine Le Pen gets (at last) her 500 endorsements|work=]|date=13 March 2012|access-date=22 March 2012|language=fr|archive-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317164903/http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-affirme-avoir-500-signatures-13-03-2012-1440634_324.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-acte-ii-13-03-2012-1440781_324.php|title=Endorsements – Marine Le Pen, Act II|work=Le Point|date=13 March 2012|access-date=22 March 2012|language=fr|archive-date=16 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316220306/http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-acte-ii-13-03-2012-1440781_324.php|url-status=live}}</ref> On 19 March 2012, the ] approved her candidacy, and those of nine competitors.<ref name="CCF" /> On 22 April 2012, she polled 17.90% (6,421,426 votes) in the first round, finishing in third position behind ] and incumbent president ].<ref name="CC2012" /><ref name="CC2012-RD" /> She achieved better results, in both percentage vote-share and number of votes, than her father had in the ] (16.86%, 4,804,772 votes in the first round; 17.79%, 5,525,034 votes in the run-off).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/FE.html |title=2002 French presidential election: national results (first round and run-off) |publisher=Minister of the Interior |access-date=24 April 2012 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425214414/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/FE.html |archive-date=25 April 2012}}</ref> | |||
On 11 December 2011, she held her first presidential meeting in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/12/meeting-a-metz-discours-de-cloture-de-marine-le-pen/|title=Meeting in Metz : Marine Le Pen's closing speech|work=Front National|date=12 December 2011|accessdate=12 December 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lci.tf1.fr/politique/en-lorraine-marine-le-pen-veut-faire-entendre-la-voix-des-oublies-6871620.html|title=In Lorraine, Marine Le Pen wants to make listen the voice of "forgotten" people|work=] (LCI, The News Channel)|date=11 December 2011|accessdate=12 December 2011|language=fr}}</ref> From early January to mid April 2012, she held weekly meetings in the major French cities. On 17 April 2012, between 6,000 and 7,000 people took part in her final meeting organized at the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/grand-meeting-de-marine-le-pen-au-zenith-a-paris/|title=Marine Le Pen's big meeting at the Zenith in Paris|publisher=Front National |date=17 April 2012|accessdate=23 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.lefigaro.fr/presidentielle-2012/2012/04/17/01039-20120417ARTFIG00687-le-pen-veut-leur-montrer-qu-ils-ont-tort.php|title=Le Pen wants "show them that they are wrong"|work=Le Figaro|date=18 April 2012|accessdate=23 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
{{multiple image | |||
On 13 March 2012, she publicly announced that she had the 500 necessary signatures to take part in the presidential election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-affirme-avoir-500-signatures-13-03-2012-1440634_324.php|title=Marine Le Pen gets (at last) her 500 endorsements|work=Le Point|date=13 March 2012|accessdate=22 March 2012|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/election-presidentielle-2012/marine-le-pen-acte-ii-13-03-2012-1440781_324.php|title=Endorsements – Marine Le Pen, Act II|work=Le Point|date=13 March 2012|accessdate=22 March 2012|language=fr}}</ref> On 19 March 2012, the ] officially validated her candidature and those of nine others competitors.<ref name="CCF" /> | |||
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| image1 = Hénin-Beaumont - Marine Le Pen au Parlement des Invisibles le dimanche 15 avril 2012 (M).JPG | |||
| caption1 = Marine Le Pen during her presidential campaign, on 15 April 2012 | |||
| image2 = Présidentielle française 2012 premier tour.png | |||
| caption2 = First round results in 2012: candidates with the most votes by departments (mainland France, overseas and French citizens living abroad). Marine Le Pen came first in Gard. | |||
}} | |||
Le Pen polled first in ] (25.51%, 106,646 votes), with Sarkozy and Hollande polling 24.86% (103,927 votes) and 24.11% (100,778 votes) respectively.<ref name="CC2012-RD" /><ref name="MLPGard">{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/091/030/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Gard|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=26 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424220402/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/091/030/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She also came first in her municipal stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont (35.48%, 4,924 votes), where Hollande and Sarkozy polled 26.82% (3,723 votes) and 15.76% (2,187 votes) respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/031/062/062427.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=26 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424223739/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/031/062/062427.html|url-status=live}}</ref> She achieved her highest results east of the line from ] in the north to ] in the south,<ref name="BBC2012FPE">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17824436|title=What next for Marine Le Pen's National Front?|work=BBC News|author=Hugh Schofield|date=24 April 2012|access-date=2 May 2012|archive-date=2 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502192220/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17824436|url-status=live}}</ref> and conversely she won fewer votes in western France, especially cities such as Paris, overseas and among French citizens living abroad (5.95%, 23,995 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/099/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results among the French citizens living abroad|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425204353/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/099/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, she polled well in two rural departments in western France: ] (20.00%, 34,757 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/025/061/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Orne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=2 May 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424230648/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/025/061/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and ] (19.17%, 62,516 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/052/072/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Sarthe|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=2 May 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424220128/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/052/072/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Her highest regional result was in ] (25.03%, 266,041 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/022/022.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Picardy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424223657/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/022/022.html|url-status=live}}</ref> her highest departmental result in ] (27.03%, 84,585 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/093/084/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Vaucluse|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424220428/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/093/084/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and her highest overseas result in ] (15.81%, 416 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/975/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Saint Pierre and Miquelon|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424215824/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/975/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
In addition to Picardy, she also polled over 20% in ten other regions: ] (24.39%, 39,209 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/094/094.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Corsica |publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (23.91%, 172,632 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/021/021.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Champagne-Ardenne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (23.87%, 650,336 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/093/093.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (23.66%, 308,392 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/041/041.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Lorraine|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (23.45%, 363,880 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/091/091.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Languedoc-Roussillon|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> Nord-Pas-de-Calais (23.29%, 517,115 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/031/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Nord-Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (22.12%, 219,252 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/042/042.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Alsace |publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (21.29%, 141,972 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/043/043.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Franche-Comté|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (20.36%, 191,148 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/026/026.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Burgundy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (20.15%, 207,520 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/023/023.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Upper Normandy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> In addition to Vaucluse, she also polled over 25% in nine other departments : ] (26.33%, 78,452 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/022/002/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Aisne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (25.82%, 29,038 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/041/055/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Meuse|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (25.71%, 19,081 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/094/02A/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Corse-du-Sud|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> Pas-de-Calais (25.53%, 216,753 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/031/062/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> Gard (25.51%, 106,646 votes),<ref name="MLPGard" /> ] (25.26%, 27,624 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/021/052/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Haute-Marne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (25.12%, 40,740 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/021/010/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Aube |publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (25.12%, 36,807 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/043/070/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Haute-Saône|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> ] (25.08%, 109,339 votes).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/022/060/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Oise |publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> In addition to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, she also polled over 10% in the ] (12.51%, 665 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/977/977801.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in the Collectivity of Saint Martin|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> in ] (11.66%, 10,409 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/988/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in New Caledonia|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> in ] (11.41%, 310 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/977/977701.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Saint Barthélemy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> in ] (10.48%, 3,920 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/003/973/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in French Guiana|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> and in ] (10.31%, 37,549 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/004/974/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Réunion|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
She achieved her lowest regional result in Île-de-France (12.28%, 655,926 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/011/011.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Île-de-France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425213000/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/011/011.html|url-status=live}}</ref> her lowest departmental result in Paris (6.20%, 61,503 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/011/075/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Paris|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425204529/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/011/075/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and her lowest overseas result in ] (2.37%, 152 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/986/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election: first round results in Wallis and Futuna|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 April 2012|language=fr|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424215834/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/000/986/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
French sociologist Sylvain Crépon, who analysed the social and occupational groups of the FN voters in 2012, explained: "The FN vote is made up of the victims of globalisation. It is the small shopkeepers who are going under because of the economic crisis and competition from the out-of-town hypermarkets; it is low-paid workers from the private sector; the unemployed. The FN scores well among people living in poverty, who have a real fear about how to make ends meet."<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> Crépon also analysed the increase of the FN vote in "rural" areas and the recent sociological changes in these areas made up of small provincial towns and new housing-estate ] built on the distant outskirts of the cities: "The rural underclass is no longer agricultural. It is people who have fled the big cities and the inner suburbs because they can no longer afford to live there. Many of these people will have had recent experience of living in the ]s (high immigration suburbs) – and have had contact with the problems of insecurity."<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> Commentators also pointed that there were more young people and women voting for the party in 2012.<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> | |||
In addition to Île-de-France, she polled less than 15% in ] (13.24%, 262,095 votes)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/053/053.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Brittany|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> and in ] (14.39%, 308,806 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/052/052.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Pays de la Loire|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> In addition to Paris, she polled less than 10% in ] (8.51%, 62,447 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/011/092/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Hauts-de-Seine|publisher=Minister of the Interior |accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> In addition to Wallis and Futuna, she polled less than 5% in ] (2.77%, 996 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/006/976/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Mayotte|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> and in ] (4.76%, 6,960 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/002/972/index.html|title=2012 French presidential election : first round results in Martinique|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 April 2012|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
On 1 May 2012, during a speech delivered in Paris after the traditional Joan of Arc and Labor Day march, Le Pen refused to back either Sarkozy or Hollande in the run-off on 6 May. Addressing the party's annual rally at ], she vowed to cast a blank ballot and told her supporters to vote with their conscience, saying: "Hollande and Sarkozy – neither of them will save you. On Sunday I will cast a blank ]. I have made my choice. Each of you will make yours." Accusing both candidates of surrendering to Europe and financial markets, she asked: "Who between Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy will impose the austerity plan in the most servile way? Who will submit the best to the instructions of the ] (IMF), the ] (ECB) or the European Commission?".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17906203|title=France election: Le Pen 'to cast blank vote' in run-off|work=]|date=1 May 2012|access-date=2 May 2012|archive-date=2 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502000733/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17906203|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
A French sociologist, Sylvain Crépon, who analysed the social and occupational groups of the FN voters in 2012, explained: "The FN vote is made up of the victims of globalisation. It is the small shopkeepers who are going under because of the economic crisis and competition from the out-of-town hypermarkets; it is low-paid workers from the private sector; the unemployed. The FN scores well among people living in poverty, who have a real fear about how to make ends meet."<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> Crépon also analysed the increase of the FN vote in "rural" areas and the recent sociological changes in these areas made up of small provincial towns and new housing-estate ] built on the distant outskirts of the cities: "The rural underclass is no longer agricultural. It is people who have fled the big cities and the inner suburbs because they can no longer afford to live there. Many of these people will have had recent experience of living in the ]s (high immigration suburbs) – and have had contact with the problems of insecurity."<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> Commentators also pointed that there are more young people and women voting for the party in 2012.<ref name="BBC2012FPE" /> | |||
===Electoral results: 2012–2016=== | |||
During a speech delivered in Paris on 1 May 2012 after the traditional Joan of Arc and Labor Day march, she has refused to back either incumbent president Sarkozy or socialist Hollande in the run-off on 6 May. Addressing the party's annual rally at ], she vowed to cast a blank ballot and told her supporters to vote with their conscience, saying: "Hollande and Sarkozy – neither of them will save you. On Sunday I will cast a blank ]. I have made my choice. Each of you will make yours." Accusing both candidates of surrendering to Europe and financial markets, she asked: "Who between Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy will impose the austerity plan in the most servile way? Who will submit the best to the instructions of the IMF, the ] or the European Commission?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17906203|title=France election: Le Pen 'to cast blank vote' in run-off|publisher=BBC News|date=1 May 2012|accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
Following the increase in support for the FN in the presidential election, Le Pen announced the formation an electoral coalition to contest the ] called the ]. Standing as a candidate in the ], Le Pen won 42.36% of the vote, well ahead of the Socialist representative ] (23.50%) and far-left candidate ] (21.48%). She was defeated by Kemel in the second round with 49.86% and filed an appeal with the ], which was rejected despite an observation of some irregularities. Nationally, the FN had two lawmakers elected: Le Pen's niece ] and ]. | |||
In 2014, Le Pen led the party to further electoral advances in the ] and ]: eleven mayors and two senators were elected, with the FN entering the upper chamber for the first time. | |||
===Electoral progression: 2012–16=== | |||
In the wake of her success, she announced the foundation of the "]", an electoral coalition dedicated to the ]. Herself a candidate in the ], she collected 42,36% of the vote, far before the Socialist representative ] (23.50%) and her far-left rival ] (21.48%). She was beaten in the second round with 49.86%. She filed an appeal rejected by the ] which however recognized some proven deceptions. Nationally, her party has only elected two lawmakers: her niece ] and ]. | |||
In 2014, she led her party to other success in the ] and ]: eleven mayors and two senators were elected. It was the first time the National Front entered in France's upper chamber. | |||
] | ] | ||
On 24 May 2014, the |
On 24 May 2014, the FN received the most votes in the ], with a 24.90% share. Marine Le Pen came in first place in her ] with 33.60%. 25 FN representatives were elected to the ] from France. They voted against the ] when it was formed in July 2014. One year later, Le Pen announced the formation of ], a parliamentary grouping composed of the National Front, the ], ] of Italy, the Dutch ], the ] from ], the Flemish ] of ], and British independent MEP ], formerly of ]. Le Pen's first attempt to assemble this grouping in 2014 had failed due to UKIP and the ] refusing to join, as well as some controversial statements from her father, ]. Le Pen sat on the commission for international trade. In 2016, '']'' ranked her as the second most influential MEP after ]. | ||
In April 2015, |
In April 2015, Le Pen's father gave two interviews including controversial statements about ] and about minorities in France, causing a political crisis in the FN. Marine Le Pen organised a postal vote to ask FN members to change the party's statutes to expel her father. J-M Le Pen pursued his movement and the justice cancelled the vote. On 25 August, the FN executive office voted to expel him from the party he had founded forty years earlier. Marine's dependence on her closest adviser, ], a former left-wing technocrat, was observed. The party instigated a purge to expel the members who had opposed the changes within the FN under Marine Le Pen's leadership. | ||
Le Pen subsequently announced her candidacy for the presidency of the regional council of ] in the ], though she expressed her regret over the proximity of these elections to the next presidential election. On 6 December, she finished first with 40.6% of the vote, but the Socialist candidate (third with 18.12%) withdrew and declared support for her right-wing opponent ], who won with 57.80% of the vote. Her niece Marion also lost, under similar circumstances, by a smaller margin. | |||
===Second presidential candidacy: |
===Second presidential candidacy: 2016–2017=== | ||
{{Main|French presidential election, 2017}} | {{Main|French presidential election, 2017}} | ||
] | |||
Excepting the candidates for the ], Marine Le Pen was the first to announce her candidacy for the ] on 8 April 2016. She consistently maintained high popularity in polling figures. She has appointed ], a young FN member of the Senate, as her campaign manager. The FN had difficulties finding funding because of the opposition of every French bank to her political platform. This led to the National Front borrowing €9 million from the First Czech-Russian bank in Moscow in 2014, even as the E.U. placed sanctions on Russia for annexing Crimea. In February 2016, the FN asked Russia for another loan, this time in the amount of €27 million. The loan has not materialized.<ref name="Time">{{cite web|last1=Walt|first1=Vivienne|title=Why France's Marine Le Pen Is Doubling Down on Russia Support|url=http://time.com/4627780/russia-national-front-marine-le-pen-putin/|website=Time|accessdate=11 February 2017}}</ref> | |||
====Leading candidate in polls==== | |||
] | |||
] | |||
Most political analysts notice her strong position because of the absence of a primary in her party (consolidating her leadership), of the news such as the ] or the terrorist attacks in France (reinforcing her political positions) and of the very right-wing campaign of ] in the Republican primary (enlarging her themes). In a 2016 interview with the ], Le Pen stated that ]'s presidential victory will in fact help her in the 2016–2017 presidential race. In her opinion, Mr Trump has "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37964776|title=Marine Le Pen: Trump win boosts my chances|date=13 November 2016|publisher=BBC News|access-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> However, she stated she would not officially launch her campaign before February 2017, waiting for the results of the Republican and Socialist primaries, and preferred to remain silent in the media and usher thematic think tanks dedicated to the elaboration of her program. In consequence, her rare media appearances attract consistent audiences (2.3 million viewers for ''Vie politique'' on ] on 11 September 2016 and 4 million for ''Une ambition intime'' on ] on 16 October). | |||
Marine Le Pen announced her candidacy for the ] on 8 April 2016. She appointed FN Senator ] as her campaign manager. The FN had difficulty finding funding because of the refusal of French banks to provide credit. Instead, the FN borrowed {{euro|link=yes}}9 million from the First Czech-Russian Bank in Moscow in 2014, despite ] sanctions placed on Russia following the ]. In February 2016, the FN asked Russia for another loan, this time of {{euro|link=no}}27 million, but the second loan was not paid.<ref name="Time">{{cite news|last1=Walt|first1=Vivienne|title=Why France's Marine Le Pen Is Doubling Down on Russia Support|url=https://time.com/4627780/russia-national-front-marine-le-pen-putin/|magazine=Time|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210190146/http://time.com/4627780/russia-national-front-marine-le-pen-putin/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Political analysts suggested that Le Pen's strong position in opinion polls was due to the absence of a primary in her party (consolidating her leadership), the news of the ] and terrorist attacks in France (reinforcing her political positions) and the very right-wing campaign of ] in the Republican primary (enlarging her themes). In a 2016 interview with the ], Le Pen said that ]'s victory in the US presidential election would help her, saying that Trump had "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37964776|title=Marine Le Pen: Trump win boosts my chances|date=13 November 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-date=28 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128111354/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37964776|url-status=live}}</ref> However, she said she would not officially launch her campaign before February 2017, waiting for the results of the Republican and Socialist primaries, and preferred to keep a low media profile and use thematic think tanks to expand and promote her political program. As a result, her rare media appearances attracted large audiences (2.3 million viewers for ''Vie politique'' on ] on 11 September 2016 and 4 million for ''Une ambition intime'' on ] on 16 October). | |||
The |
The FN's communications also received media attention: a new ]-inspired poster depicting her in a rural landscape with the slogan "Appeased France" was a response to surveys indicating that she remained controversial for large parts of the French electorate. Satirical treatment of this poster led to the slogan being changed to: "In the name of the people". Meanwhile, the FN logo and the name Le Pen were removed from campaign posters. | ||
Le Pen launched her candidacy on 4 and 5 February 2017 in ], promising a referendum on France's membership of the ] if she could not achieve her territorial, monetary, economic and legislative goals for the country within six months renegotiation with the EU. Her first campaign appearance on television, four days later, received the highest viewing figures on ] since the previous presidential election (16.70% with 3.7 million viewers).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leprogres.fr/france-monde/2017/02/10/marine-le-pen-explose-les-records-de-l-emission-politique|title=Marine Le Pen explose les records de "L'Émission politique" (in French)|date=10 February 2017|website=Le Progrès|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212100657/http://www.leprogres.fr/france-monde/2017/02/10/marine-le-pen-explose-les-records-de-l-emission-politique|url-status=live}}</ref> Her 2017 presidential campaign emphasized Le Pen as a softer, feminine figure, with a blue rose as a prominent campaign symbol.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Geva|first=Dorit|date=1 March 2020|title=Daughter, Mother, Captain: Marine Le Pen, Gender, and Populism in the French National Front|url=https://academic.oup.com/sp/article/27/1/1/5259255|journal=Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society|language=en|volume=27|issue=1|pages=1–26|doi=10.1093/sp/jxy039|issn=1072-4745|doi-access=free|access-date=2 May 2020|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707024358/https://academic.oup.com/sp/article/27/1/1/5259255|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====Campaign==== | |||
On 2 March 2017, the European Parliament voted to revoke Le Pen's immunity from prosecution for tweeting violent imagery. Le Pen had tweeted an image of beheaded journalist ] in December 2015. She took down the tweet following a request from Foley's family. In an unrelated case, Le Pen faces prosecution for allegedly spending European Union Parliament funds on her own political party; the lifting of her immunity from prosecution does not apply to the ongoing investigation into the misuse of parliamentary funds by the FN.<ref>{{cite news|last=McAuley|first=James|title=European Parliament lifts Marine Le Pen’s immunity for tweeting gruesome images of violence|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/european-parliament-lifts-marine-le-pens-immunity-for-tweeting-gruesome-images-of-violence/2017/03/02/99bb9c9a-ff5e-11e6-9b78-824ccab94435_story.html?utm_term=.6fb8e50814d5 |newspaper=Washington Post|date=2 March 2017}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|2017 Marine Le Pen presidential campaign}} | |||
On 2 March 2017, the ] voted to revoke Le Pen's immunity from prosecution for tweeting violent imagery. Le Pen had tweeted an image of beheaded journalist ] in December 2015, which was deleted following a request from Foley's family. Le Pen also faced prosecution for allegedly spending EU Parliament funds on her own political party; the lifting of her immunity from prosecution did not apply to the ongoing investigation into the misuse of parliamentary funds by the FN.<ref>{{cite news|last=McAuley|first=James|title=European Parliament lifts Marine Le Pen's immunity for tweeting gruesome images of violence|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/european-parliament-lifts-marine-le-pens-immunity-for-tweeting-gruesome-images-of-violence/2017/03/02/99bb9c9a-ff5e-11e6-9b78-824ccab94435_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2 March 2017|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302201536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/european-parliament-lifts-marine-le-pens-immunity-for-tweeting-gruesome-images-of-violence/2017/03/02/99bb9c9a-ff5e-11e6-9b78-824ccab94435_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] | ] | ||
Le Pen |
Le Pen met with several incumbent heads of state including Lebanon's ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20170220-france-far-right-marine-le-pen-lebanon-visit-presidential-election|title=French far-right leader Le Pen visits Beirut as she eyes Elysée Palace – France 24|date=20 February 2017|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327220420/http://www.france24.com/en/20170220-france-far-right-marine-le-pen-lebanon-visit-presidential-election|url-status=live}}</ref> Chad's ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-lepen-chad-idUSKBN16S1XB|title=France's Le Pen focuses on terrorism in Chad leader visit|date=21 March 2017|work=Reuters|last1=Irish|first1=Madjiasra Nako|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-date=18 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518022134/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-election-lepen-chad-idUSKBN16S1XB|url-status=live}}</ref> and Russia's ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/world/europe/marine-le-pen-of-france-meets-with-putin-in-moscow.html|title=Marine Le Pen of France Meets With Vladimir Putin in Moscow|first=Adam|last=Nossiter|date=24 March 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327111215/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/world/europe/marine-le-pen-of-france-meets-with-putin-in-moscow.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The ground floor of the building which housed Le Pen's campaign headquarters was targeted by an arson attempt during the early morning of 13 April |
The ground floor of the building which housed Le Pen's campaign headquarters was targeted by an arson attempt during the early morning of 13 April 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Le QG de campagne de Marine Le Pen visé par une tentative d'incendie|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2017/article/2017/04/13/le-qg-de-campagne-de-marine-le-pen-vise-par-une-tentative-d-incendie_5110464_4854003.html|agency=Agence France-Presse|newspaper=Le Monde|date=13 April 2017|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413211358/http://www.lemonde.fr/election-presidentielle-2017/article/2017/04/13/le-qg-de-campagne-de-marine-le-pen-vise-par-une-tentative-d-incendie_5110464_4854003.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Samuel | first1=Henry | title=Marine Le Pen's Campaign HQ Target of 'Arson Attack' | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/13/marine-le-pens-campaign-hq-target-arson-attack/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/13/marine-le-pens-campaign-hq-target-arson-attack/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | date=13 April 2017 | newspaper=] | access-date=13 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
In 2017, Le Pen argued that France as a nation bore no responsibility for the ], |
In 2017, Le Pen argued that France as a nation bore no responsibility for the ], in which Paris policemen arrested Jewish citizens for deportation to ] as part of the ]. She repeated a ] thesis according to which France was not represented by the ], but by ]'s ].<ref name="Marine Le Pen sparks outrage over Holocaust comments">{{cite web|last1=Masters|first1=James|last2=Deygas|first2=Margaux|title=Marine Le Pen sparks outrage over Holocaust comments|date=10 April 2017 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/10/europe/france-marine-le-pen-holocaust/|publisher=CNN|access-date=16 April 2017|archive-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414210557/http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/10/europe/france-marine-le-pen-holocaust/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
On 20 April 2017, in the wake of ] |
On 20 April 2017, in the wake of ] which was being treated as a suspected terrorist attack, Le Pen cancelled a planned campaign event. The next day, she called for the closure of all "extremist" mosques, a remark that was criticised by Prime Minister ], who accused her of attempting to "capitalise" on the incident. She also called for the expulsion of hate preachers and people on the French security services' watch list, and the revocation of their citizenship. '']'' said the attack could serve as "ammunition" for right-wing candidates in the election, including Le Pen.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Willsher|first1=Kim|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/21/fears-that-paris-shooting-will-affect-presidental-election-as-first-round-looms|title=Fears that Paris shooting will affect presidential election as first round looms|work=The Guardian|date=20 April 2017|access-date=21 April 2017|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127095605/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/21/fears-that-paris-shooting-will-affect-presidental-election-as-first-round-looms|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
On April |
On 21 April 2017, United States President ] wrote on Twitter that the shooting would have "a big effect on the presidential election."<ref>{{cite web | last1=Jacobs | first1=Peter | title=Trump Predicts the Attack in Paris Will Have a 'Big Effect on Presidential Election!' | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-predicts-paris-terror-attack-effect-french-presidential-election-2017-4 | date=21 April 2017 | website=] | access-date=22 April 2017 | archive-date=21 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421134852/http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-predicts-paris-terror-attack-effect-french-presidential-election-2017-4 | url-status=live }}</ref> Later that day, Trump said that Le Pen was the "strongest on borders, and she's the strongest on what's been going on in France."<ref>{{cite web | last1=Quigley | first1=Aidan | title=Trump Expresses Support for Le Pen | url=http://www.politico.eu/article/trump-expresses-support-for-french-candidate-le-pen/ | date=21 April 2017 | work=] | access-date=22 April 2017 | archive-date=23 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423072043/http://www.politico.eu/article/trump-expresses-support-for-french-candidate-le-pen/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, former US President ] phoned ] to express his support.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Amaro | first1=Silvia | title=Obama Wishes French Presidential Hopeful Macron Good Luck Ahead of Key Vote | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/21/obama-wishes-french-presidential-hopeful-macron.html | date=21 April 2017 | publisher=] | access-date=22 April 2017 | archive-date=21 April 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421105508/http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/21/obama-wishes-french-presidential-hopeful-macron.html | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
====Second round==== | |||
Le Pen won 21.3% of the vote (7.7 million votes) in the first round of the election on 23 April 2017, placing her second behind Macron, who got 24.0%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Election présidentielle 2017|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/presidentielle-2017/FE.html|publisher=French Ministry of the Interior|accessdate=25 April 2017}}</ref> She will face Macron in the run-off on 7 May. | |||
] | |||
Le Pen won 21.3% of the vote (7.7 million votes) in the first round of the election on 23 April 2017, placing her second behind Macron, who received 24.0%,<ref>{{cite web|title=Election présidentielle 2017|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/presidentielle-2017/FE.html|publisher=French Ministry of the Interior|access-date=25 April 2017|archive-date=15 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515172723/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/presidentielle-2017/FE.html|url-status=live}}</ref> meaning that they would face each other in the run-off on 7 May. On 24 April 2017, the day after the first round of voting, Le Pen announced that she would temporarily step down as the leader of the FN in an attempt to unite voters.<ref name=IRISHTIMES24APR>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/marine-le-pen-steps-down-as-front-national-leader-1.3059180|title=Marine Le Pen steps down as Front National leader|date=24 April 2017|newspaper=]|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424231632/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/marine-le-pen-steps-down-as-front-national-leader-1.3059180|url-status=live}}</ref> "The President of the Republic is the president of all the French people, they must bring them all together," she said.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/856574805692362752|title=Marine Le Pen on Twitter|via=Twitter|date=24 April 2017|access-date=24 April 2017|archive-date=25 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425134121/https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/856574805692362752|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} | |||
After progressing to the second round, she said that the campaign was now "a referendum for or against France" and tried to convince those voting for the hard-left candidate ] to support her. This choice was later criticised by those in her party who believed that she had abandoned ]'s voters in spite of their conservative and anti-immigration stance. On 1 May 2017, a video emerged of Le Pen copying sections of a speech by Francois Fillon word-for-word.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 May 2017|last=Willsher|first=Kim|title=Marine Le Pen accused of plagiarising Fillon in May Day speech|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/02/marine-le-pen-francois-fillon-phrases-may-day-speech|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-date=5 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505230650/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/02/marine-le-pen-francois-fillon-phrases-may-day-speech|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 24 April 2017, a day after the first round, Le Pen announced that she would temporarily step down as the leader of the National Front in an attempt to unite voters.<ref name=IRISHTIMES24APR>{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/marine-le-pen-steps-down-as-front-national-leader-1.3059180|title=Marine Le Pen steps down as Front National leader|date=April 24, 2017|website=]}}</ref> "The President of the Republic is the president of all the French people, they must bring them all together," she said.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/MLP_officiel/status/856574805692362752|title=Marine Le Pen on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|date=24 April 2017}}</ref> | |||
In the first days of the second round campaign, the gap in opinion polls began to narrow. On 25 April, Le Pen went to ] in an unexpected visit to meet workers at the Whirlpool factory while Macron was in a meeting with local officials at the same time, with Le Pen receiving a positive welcome. Macron then also visited the factory workers, but was booed by a hostile crowd. | |||
==Political positions== | |||
Le Pen was generally regarded as the loser of the televised debate between the two candidates. Her performance was strongly criticised by politicians, commentators, and members of her own party, and described as a "sabotage" by conservative journalist ]. Le Pen herself subsequently acknowledged that she had "misfired" during the debate. In the following days, she began to slip in opinion polls. | |||
===Economy=== | |||
Marine Le Pen contends that the FN's immigration programme is better known among the voters; she thus concentrates on the party's economic and social programme.<ref name=social-issues-fn>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5864 |title=Marine Le Pen : "Social issues—the National Front's policies" |work=Front National |date=24 September 2010 |accessdate=23 October 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506093529/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5864 |archivedate=6 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="AFPéco">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5imYHuL4D8ruze-SS4BlTJupnMQLw?docId=CNG.4f248d6e99e453a5310760a81af36c0b.3e1|title=Marine Le Pen involves in economics|agency=Agence France-Presse |author=Andrea Bambino|date=9 December 2010|accessdate=30 January 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
] headquarters in ], Marine Le Pen holds a press conference about the systemic banking crisis|227x227px]] | |||
On 7 May, she conceded defeat to Emmanuel Macron. Her vote share of 33.9% was lower than any polls had predicted, and was attributed to her poor performance in the debate. She immediately announced a "full transformation" of the FN in the following months.<ref name="auto4"/> | |||
Opposed to ] and ], she advocates ] as a median way. She has used a raging river as a metaphor for the economy; she has used this metaphor to say that free trade is like allowing the torrent to rush along unchecked and autarky equates to the erection of a dam whereas protectionism is to install a sluice gate. "Protectionism is not autarky! ... Our position is not extreme – as our opponents would have it believed – but one which favours the middle way".<ref name="autogenerated18">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=116192|title=The 2012 great alternation is built in 2011|work=Nations Presse Info|date=15 November 2010|accessdate=23 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
===Member of the National Assembly: 2017–present=== | |||
In 2010, she vigorously criticized the pension plan drawn up by Nicolas Sarkozy and his liberal-conservative government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/retraites-sarko-organise-le-chaos/|title="Pensions: Chaos – courtesy of Sarko" (Marine Le Pen, FN) !"|publisher=Front National|date=22 October 2010|accessdate=23 October 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-sur-les-retraites-sarkozy-vous-enfume/|title=Marine Le Pen: "Pensions : Sarkozy's cheating you !"|publisher=Front National|date=14 June 2010|accessdate=4 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
On 18 May 2017, Le Pen announced that she would run as a candidate at the ] in the ], in her fifth attempt to be elected as a ]. She received just under 46% of the vote in the first round, and won the second with just under 58% against Anne Roquet of ]. She became a member of the ] in the ]. She then resigned as a ] (MEP).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/818570/Marine-Le-Pen-French-election-seat-parliament-Emmanuel-Macron|title=Marine Le Pen elected to French parliament in her fifth attempt|agency=Express|author=Rebecca Flood|date=18 June 2017|language=en|access-date=26 December 2017|archive-date=26 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226130552/https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/818570/Marine-Le-Pen-French-election-seat-parliament-Emmanuel-Macron|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2019, it was reported that Le Pen no longer wants France to leave the European Union, nor for it to leave the euro currency. Instead, it was reported she and her party wants to change the EU bloc from the inside along with allied parties.<ref name="chrisafis">{{cite news |last= Chrisafis |first= Angelique |date= 26 May 2019 |title= Marine Le Pen ahead of Macron's centrist party, say French exit polls |url= https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/26/marine-le-pen-national-rally-ahead-of-macron-centrist-party-french-exit-polls |work= The Guardian |access-date= 30 January 2020 |archive-date= 10 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200310054849/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/26/marine-le-pen-national-rally-ahead-of-macron-centrist-party-french-exit-polls |url-status= live }}</ref> | |||
She paid tribute to the economist ], who died on 9 October 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=113012|title=Marine Le Pen pays a tribute to Maurice Allais, the sole French Nobel Prize in Economics|work=Nations Presse Info|date=11 October 2010|accessdate=9 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> A French laureate of the ] (1988), Allais had expressed concerns about the 1992 ], the single European currency, free trade and ] and the 2004 ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1988/allais-autobio.html |title=Maurice Allais' autobiography |publisher=Official website of the Nobel Prize |accessdate=9 December 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211020912/http://nobelprize.org:80/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1988/allais-autobio.html |archivedate=11 December 2010 |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>She is also described as more ] and ] than her ] father. She shares his commitment to reducing ]. {{cite web|url=http://allais.maurice.free.fr/English/monde01.htm |title=Globalization: destruction of the employment and growth—''The empirical obviousness''|publisher=Website dedicated to Maurice Allais (1911–2010)|accessdate=9 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
On 4 July 2021, she was elected again to lead the National Rally with no opposing candidate.<ref>{{cite news |title=France: Far-right National Rally reelects Marine Le Pen |url=https://www.dw.com/en/france-far-right-national-rally-reelects-marine-le-pen/a-58154008 |access-date=4 July 2021 |publisher=] |date=4 July 2021 |archive-date=4 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704131011/https://www.dw.com/en/france-far-right-national-rally-reelects-marine-le-pen/a-58154008 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
She favours the repeal of the ], which makes it illegal for France to borrow at zero or a low rate of interest from the ] and forces the country to borrow at higher rate on the international ]. In her view, the national debt has grown steeply because of this law. She claimed that in 2010 France had already refunded 1.355 trillion euros of accrued interest on loans at a time when the national debt represented around 1.650 trillion euros.<ref name="AFPéco" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6112 |title=In order to absorb our debt: repeal the 1973 Law ! |work=Front National |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201195017/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6112 |archivedate=1 December 2010 }}</ref> | |||
===Third presidential candidacy and legislative election: 2022=== | |||
She has expressed support for the French public utilities, the ], and the general public interest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6497 |title=Marine Le Pen speaks to the civil servants |work=Front National |date=23 February 2011 |accessdate=26 February 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302233140/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6497 |archivedate=2 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="servicespublics">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/20110128-Redressement-services-publics.pdf |title=How to straighten out the public utilities ? |work=Front National |date=28 January 2011 |accessdate=26 February 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304054956/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/20110128-Redressement-services-publics.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2011 }}</ref> She thus opposes the programmed ] of the ] (''La Poste'') : in her view, "the privatization, with the aim of only making profitable, will result in the removal of post offices in the rural areas where the relinquishment of the state is already high". In October 2009, she claimed that three post offices had already disappeared each day in France since 1 January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/privatisation-de-la-poste-la-position-de-marine-le-pen/|title=Privatization of the French Post: Marine Le Pen's position|publisher=Front National|date=2 October 2010|accessdate=29 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="Treaty of Lisbon">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1763|title=Reform of the French Post's statute: a serious undermining of the public utilities|publisher=Front National|date=3 October 2009|accessdate=29 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> She said that the ] of the French public utilities had been ratified by the former Prime Minister ] during the ] on 15 and 16 March 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alternatives-economiques.fr/sommet-de-barcelone---le-service-public-patine-et-l-europe-sociale-regresse_fr_art_157_16683.html|title=Barcelona summit: the public utilities slip and the social EU regresses|work=] (n° 202)|date=April 2002|accessdate=29 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualite/economie/20020315.OBS3984/sommet-europeen-delicatpour-chirac-et-jospin.html|title=Delicate European summit for Chirac and Jospin|work=Le Nouvel Observateur|date=15 March 2002|accessdate=29 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> She had also warned that the UMP government planned a "progressive privatization of the French ] system from 2011" – a condition imposed by the ].<ref name="AME">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/tract-ame-071210.pdf |title=Aide Médicale d'État—Free access for illegal immigrants: let's stop the scandal ! |work=Front National |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=10 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214055650/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/tract-ame-071210.pdf |archivedate=14 December 2010 }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
]In January 2020, Le Pen announced her third candidacy for president of France in the ].<ref name="Pecnard 2020">{{cite web | last=Pecnard | first=Jules | title=Présidentielle 2022: pourquoi Marine Le Pen s'est-elle déclarée si tôt? | publisher=BFMTV | date=17 January 2020 | url=https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/extreme-droite/presidentielle-2022-pourquoi-marine-le-pen-s-est-elle-declaree-si-tot_AN-202001170096.html | language=fr | access-date=23 December 2021 | archive-date=23 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223182031/https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/extreme-droite/presidentielle-2022-pourquoi-marine-le-pen-s-est-elle-declaree-si-tot_AN-202001170096.html | url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 January 2022, she launched her campaign. | |||
In February 2022, during Le Pen's presidential campaign, ], the only ] from her political party, publicly endorsed her far-right presidential rival ].<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 February 2022|title=France's Le Pen suffers high profile defection to rival Zemmour|language=en|work=]|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-le-pen-suffers-high-profile-defection-rival-zemmour-2022-02-13/|access-date=13 February 2022|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213121511/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/frances-le-pen-suffers-high-profile-defection-rival-zemmour-2022-02-13/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
During a press conference in June 2011, she advocated to reintroduce the ] and implement an "International Trade Organization" (in place of ]), in order to reorganize the world trade exchanges.<ref name="MLPCP">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/protections-aux-frontieres-comment-relancer-l%E2%80%99industrie-et-l%E2%80%99emploi/|title=Protections at boundaries: how to revive industry and employment ?|publisher=Front National|date=10 June 2011|accessdate=5 November 2011|language=fr}}</ref> Signed by 53 countries and rejected by the US in 1951, this Charter was a trade agreement that would have established an international currency known as the ].<ref name="HEMLP">{{cite web|url=http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=47325|title=France's Marine Le Pen's Tea Party Embrace a Percolating Issue on the U.S. Right|work=]|author=]|date=4 November 2011|accessdate=4 November 2011}}</ref> She claimed that the "Havana Charters's proposals perfectly fit into her economic philosophy"<ref name="MLPCP" /> and that "its first article conciliates international trade and employment".<ref name="MLPWDC">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=149279|title=Marine Le Pen's press conference at the National Press Club in Washington|work=Nations Presse Info|date=3 November 2011|accessdate=4 November 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
During the first round of the election, Le Pen won second place, with 23.15% of the votes.<ref name=":1" /> On 22 April, she participated in a televised debate against Macron.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 April 2022 |title=Macron and Le Pen clash on Russia, economy in feisty debate ahead of presidential run-off |url=https://www.france24.com/en/france/20220420-live-macron-and-le-pen-face-off-in-debate-ahead-of-french-presidential-run-off |access-date=22 April 2022 |website=]}}</ref> She was defeated in a run-off against ] on 24 April: on this occasion, she obtained 41.45% of the votes, the highest share of the vote for a nationalist candidate in French history.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/le-pen-concedes-french-presidential-elections-handing-reelection-victory-to-macron/3660399/ | title=To Europe's Relief, France's Macron Wins but Far-Right Gains | date=24 April 2022 }}</ref> | |||
During her speech at the ] in ] in November 2011, she proposed "three essential solutions to stop the current world systemic crisis and turn the world towards a greater justice and greater prosperity": reintroduction of a "polymetallic standard" in the ] as a world standard of reference and exchanges in order to establish a "free monetary system" and struggle against speculation; the ratification of the modernized Havana Charter by the 1948 signatory nations and incoming emerging countries, in order to favour a "reasonable protectionism that encourages cooperation in trade among nations through the end of 'unbridled free trade'"; application of the 1933 ], which legally separated investment banking and commercial banking, to "the banking system of each country".<ref name="HEMLP" /><ref name="MLPWDC" /> In her view, these solutions will be able to bring a global support for employment thanks to the integration of "full employment" appearing as one of the main targets of the Havana Charter and for industry thanks to the authorization of state aids appearing in the Charter's article 13.<ref name="MLPWDC" /> | |||
It was remarked that a Є10.6 million loan provided by the Hungarian bank ] chaired by ], a close ally of ], was used to finance her presidential campaign.<ref name="peu5">{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/kremlin-russia-hungary-viktor-orban-oil-gazprom-media-gabor-kubatov-fidesz-party |title=The Kremlin's growing influence in Orbán's Hungary |date=23 May 2024 }}</ref> The transaction depended on Orban to be completed; normally the bankers would not have done it.<ref name="444hu">{{cite news |url=https://444.hu/2022/05/30/orban-viktor-bankjanak-nevezi-a-bankholdingot-hosszu-cikkeben-a-financial-times |title=FT: Mészáros vonakodott, de Orbán utasítására mégis hitelezte az MKB le Pen kampányát |date=30 May 2022 }}</ref> | |||
In October 2011, she advocated to implement a drastic regulation of the banking sector separating by law the ] from the ]s. She claimed that "the deposit banks should be rescued by a temporary and partial ]". In her view, "the ] of the banks should be the object of a transparency operation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7553|title=Dexia fall: Marine Le Pen's proposals in order to get over the banking stagnation|publisher=Front National|date=5 October 2011|accessdate=9 October 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref> | |||
During the ] which followed soon after, she led her party into winning its highest number of seats in the ] since its founding, RN eventually becoming the largest opposition party in Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-19 |title=France: Marine Le Pen's National Rally estimated to win 89 seats |url=https://www.france24.com/en/video/20220619-marine-le-pen-s-national-rally-estimated-to-win-89-seats |access-date=2022-06-19 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref> Days later, she was elected by acclamation as leader of the parliamentary National Rally party in the Assembly, a position she currently holds. | |||
In October 2011, she suggested 7 measures to save €30 billion per year in order to preserve France's AAA ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/7-mesures-immediates.pdf|title=Marine Le Pen: 7 immediate steps to save €30 billion a year|publisher=Front National|accessdate=26 October 2011|language=fr}}</ref> The largest part of the measures are made up of avoiding fraud on welfare payments and avoidance of tax loopholes (together €18.5 bn), stopping non-useful local spending (€4bn) as well as stopping payments of France to the EU (€7bn). | |||
===Standing down=== | |||
A president of the ] (MEDEF), ] regularly levels strong criticism at the FN's economic and social programme.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jN5I4bFP2tJLhyxpCeXkItKUosNA?docId=CNG.06a31170dfed39c198ccd1a43cb57020.6f1|title=Laurence Parisot denounces the National Front's "demagogic" economic programme|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=14 December 2010|accessdate=28 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> She replied that "the FN is not the friend of the CAC 40 and is fighting the social regression brought about by the MEDEF and inflicted on the French people by the allies of the UMP and the PS".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6177 |title=The MEDEF does not like our economic and social programme: so what's new? |publisher=Front National |date=14 December 2010 |accessdate=19 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212004028/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6177 |archivedate=12 February 2011}}</ref> After Parisot's new criticism, she claims that "the philosophy of the FN's economic project comes down to some words: construction of a strong, protective and strategist state, reasoned protections at the boundaries, support to the ], and get back the monetary sovereignty, only able to assure France's recovery".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6457 |title=The National Front's economic programme upsets Mrs Parisot: we understand her ! |publisher=Front National |date=13 February 2011 |accessdate=20 February 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222163208/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6457 |archivedate=22 February 2011}}</ref> She also replied that "Laurence Parisot, this is the exact opposite of her democratic and republican project, a project of hope which puts back man and nation in the center of politics".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7347|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160228113113/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7347|dead-url=yes|archive-date=28 February 2016|title=Laurence Parisot's book against Marine Le Pen: the tribute of the vice to the virtue|publisher=Front National|date=13 September 2011|accessdate=11 October 2011|language=fr}}</ref> After the publication of Parisot's critical book relating to the FN economic project, she suggested a "direct and public debate" with the president of the MEDEF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7586 |title=Marine Le Pen's open letter to Laurence Parisot, president of the MEDEF |publisher=Front National |date=11 October 2011 |accessdate=11 October 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016141317/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7586 |archivedate=16 October 2011}}</ref> | |||
In November 2022 Le Pen stood down from chairing the National Rally. She was succeeded by ] who had previously acted as the party's interim leader during her presidential campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-05 |title=France's far-right party RN elects new president to replace Le Pen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/05/frances-far-right-party-rn-elects-new-president-to-replace-le-pen |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Political positions== | |||
====Agriculture and environment==== | |||
{{Main|Political positions of Marine Le Pen}} | |||
In her view, "the ] (CAP) after 2013 will be unable to protect our farmers from speculators and savage global competition, or to compensate for the excesses of the multinationals of the food processing industry and large-scale distributors. The CAP after 2013 will remain wedged between the ultraliberal and internationalist market logic of the European Commission and a future ‘green’ CAP, in reality serving the neo-capitalists of ecological business".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20100708+ITEM-008+DOC+XML+V0//EN&query=INTERV&detail=4-359|title=European Parliament resolution on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013|publisher=]|date=8 July 2010|accessdate=24 September 2011}}</ref> | |||
], 28 January 2022]] | |||
During her first visit at the ] on 25 February 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6515 |title=Marine Le Pen at the Paris International Agricultural Show |publisher=] |date=28 February 2011 |accessdate=24 September 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824174515/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6515 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> Marine Le Pen denounced the CAP as an "unbearable bureaucracy" and advocated to replace it with a "French agricultural policy". She also claimed that "leaving the EU, we could allocate 15 billions of euros to our agriculture".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Election-presidentielle-2012/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-en-tenue-de-campagne-au-Salon-de-l-Agriculture-274415/|title=Marine Le Pen visits the Paris International Agricultural Show|work=]|date=25 February 2011|accessdate=26 February 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/marine-le-pen-a-la-conquete-des-agriculteurs-25-02-2011-1299653_20.php|title=Marine Le Pen seeking to conquer the farmers|work=Le Point |language=French|date=25 February 2011|accessdate=26 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.20minutes.fr/article/676853/politique-operation-seduction-marine-pen-salon-agriculture|title=Marine Le Pen at the Paris International Agricultural Show|publisher=] (AFP)|date=25 February 2011|accessdate=27 February 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
] in Paris on 12 November 2023]] | |||
===Immigration and multiculturalism=== | |||
{{See|Immigration to France}} | |||
Le Pen and the RN advocate a tough line on ], believing that ] has failed,<ref name="applauds">{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce56c4dc-3478-11e0-9ebc-00144feabdc0.html|title=Le Pen daughter applauds Cameron|work=]|first=Peggy|last=Hollinger|date=9 February 2011|access-date=11 February 2011|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144151/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce56c4dc-3478-11e0-9ebc-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Db1vMPpj|url-status=live}}</ref> and oppose what they see as the "Islamisation" of France.<ref name="nowilders">{{cite web|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/le-pen-says-she%E2%80%99s-no-wilders|title=Le Pen says she's no Wilders|publisher=]|date=1 June 2011|access-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607220930/http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/le-pen-says-she%E2%80%99s-no-wilders|archive-date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Le Pen has called for a moratorium on legal immigration.<ref name="autogenerated24">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=106307|title=Marine Le Pen: "If I was president..."|work=] (Nations Presse Info)|date=8 July 2010|access-date=26 November 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218111522/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=106307|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> She would repeal laws allowing illegal immigrants to become legal residents,<ref name="Nice" /> and has argued that benefits provided to immigrants be reduced to remove incentives for new immigrants.<ref name="ilim">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/lettre-ouverte-clandestins.pdf|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/66vX5x3A7?url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/lettre-ouverte-clandestins.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 April 2012|title=Marine Le Pen's open letter to policemen, gendarmes and customs officers concerning the policy of fight against illegal immigration|work=Nations Presse Info|date=5 July 2011|access-date=5 July 2011|language=fr}}</ref> Following the beginning of the ] and the ], she called for France to withdraw from the ] and reinstate border controls.<ref name="schengen1">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6839|archive-url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20151107014841/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6839|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2015|title=Schengen: Sarkozy admits the extent of the disaster but does not act ! We must leave Schengen Area|publisher=]|date=23 April 2011|access-date=25 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="schengen2">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6840 |title=The French-Italian summit of 26 April will be no use if France does not announce that it definitively breaks with Schengen Agreement |publisher=] |date=25 April 2011 |access-date=25 April 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824012746/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6840 |archive-date=24 August 2011 }}</ref> | |||
She supports restrictions on ]. | |||
She claims that 'internationalist organisations' such as the EU, ], United Nations and ] are directly responsible for the ] throughout the world. She advocates France's food independence with regard to multinationals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/securite-et-independance-alimentaires-de-la-france/|title=France's food safety and independence|publisher=Front National|date=7 March 2011|accessdate=17 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref> and "a realignment of the farm aid politics to the third countries in order to favour their food sovereignty in particular by the reintroduction of localized food crops".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6359|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160228112332/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6359|dead-url=yes|archive-date=28 February 2016|title=Speculation and food crisis|publisher=]|date=26 January 2011|accessdate=28 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Le Pen took part in the ] in Paris on 12 November 2023 in response to the ] since the start of the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bajos |first1=Par Sandrine |last2=Balle |first2=Catherine |last3=Bérard |first3=Christophe |last4=Berrod |first4=Nicolas |last5=Bureau |first5=Éric |last6=Choulet |first6=Frédéric |last7=Collet |first7=Emeline |last8=Souza |first8=Pascale De |last9=Doukhan |first9=David |date=2023-11-11 |title=Marche contre l'antisémitisme : François Hollande, Marylise Léon, Agnès Jaoui... pourquoi ils s'engagent |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/societe/marche-contre-lantisemitisme-francois-hollande-marylise-leon-agnes-jaoui-pourquoi-ils-sengagent-11-11-2023-WREACIPV4BEOZEDCWAGRM5ZNRA.php |access-date=2023-12-18 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref> | |||
She advocates the implementation of the "autarky of big spaces" and an "economy in concentric circles". In her view, it is an "ecological heresy to consume products grown at 20,000 km away and recycle waste thousands km further". She claims that we should "produce to the closest", "distribute on the spot", "consume as a priority products of its region" and then "in the nearby region" if not produced on the spot. She seeks to implement "contracts of cooperation" if necessary goods like coffee are not produced in Europe.<ref name="envi">{{cite web|url=http://www.terra-economica.info/Marine-Le-Pen-FN-Instaurons-une,1329.html|title=Marine Le Pen : "lets establish an autarky of big spaces"|publisher=terraeco.net|date=26 May 2009|accessdate=26 March 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Economic policy=== | ||
On energy, Le Pen advocates a policy of ] for France, with a strong emphasis on support for ] and ]. Le Pen is strongly opposed to ] due to its intermittency, tax burden in utility bills and impact on the landscape and built heritage. She is proposing a moratorium on new wind energy development on both sea and land from 2022 and the eventual dismantling of all current wind turbines.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mlafrance.fr/pdfs/manifeste-m-la-france-programme-presidentiel.pdf |title=Projet pour La France de Marine Le Pen |website=Marine Le Pen 2022 |date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410190956/https://mlafrance.fr/pdfs/manifeste-m-la-france-programme-presidentiel.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2022}}</ref> Le Pen favours ] as an alternative to ].<ref name="autogenerated18" /> She supports ],<ref name="absorb">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6112 |title=In order to absorb our debt: repeal the 1973 Law! |publisher=] |date=30 November 2010 |access-date=9 December 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201195017/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6112 |archive-date=1 December 2010 }}</ref> the ],<ref name="dexia">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7553|title=Dexia fall: Marine Le Pen's proposals in order to get over the banking stagnation|publisher=]|date=5 October 2011|access-date=9 October 2011|language=fr|archive-date=12 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412020720/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7553|url-status=dead}}</ref> and energy diversification,<ref name="marcoule">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7343 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160227032105/http://www.frontnational.com/2013/09/leuro-est-un-systeme-darwinien/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2016 |title=Marcoule's nuclear accident: the urgency to secure the plants |publisher=] |date=12 September 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |language=fr }}</ref> and is opposed to the ] of public services and ],<ref name="gas">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6524 |title=New scandalous rise in gas prices: the state must regain the control of the situation |publisher=] |date=1 March 2011 |access-date=27 April 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825013929/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6524 |archive-date=25 August 2011}}</ref> speculation on international commodity markets,<ref name="gas" /> and is opposed to the ].<ref name="pias">{{cite news|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Election-presidentielle-2012/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-en-tenue-de-campagne-au-Salon-de-l-Agriculture-274415/|title=Marine Le Pen visits the Paris International Agricultural Show|work=]|date=25 February 2011|access-date=26 February 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228073401/http://www.lejdd.fr/Election-presidentielle-2012/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-en-tenue-de-campagne-au-Salon-de-l-Agriculture-274415/|archive-date=28 February 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Le Pen also supports maintaining France's system of ] and opposed Macron's reforms of the labour code.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rassemblementnational.fr/communiques/reaction-du-front-national-a-la-presentation-des-ordonnances-de-reforme-du-code-du-travail | title=Réaction du Front National à la présentation des ordonnances de réforme du code du travail }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Marine Le Pen regularly denounces sharp rises in energy prices<ref name="energy1">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6759|title=Energy prices : a communication operation in defiance of purchasing power of French people|publisher=]|date=5 April 2011|accessdate=27 April 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref><ref name="energy2">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6586 |title=Sharp rise in energy prices : Sarkozy does not act, the FN has a plan of action |publisher=] |date=10 March 2011 |accessdate=17 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506125440/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6586 |archivedate=6 May 2011 }}</ref> (gas,<ref name="gas">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6524 |title=New scandalous rise in gas prices : the state must regain the control of the situation |publisher=] |date=1 March 2011 |accessdate=27 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825013929/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6524 |archivedate=25 August 2011}}</ref> gasoline,<ref name="essence1">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/prix-de-lenergie-le-fn-a-un-plan-daction/|title=Surge in gasoline prices : Marine Le Pen proposes an immediate plan of action faced with the government's inaction |publisher=Front National|date=5 March 2011|accessdate=27 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="essence2">{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6785 |title=Gasoline prices : the government must stop communication and urgently have a rethink |publisher=] |date=12 April 2011 |accessdate=27 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825064903/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6785 |archivedate=25 August 2011 }}</ref><ref name="essence3">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6911 |title=New record of the gasoline prices, inaction of the Sarkozy power ! The FN urgently asks the adoption of a plan of action ! |publisher=] |date=10 May 2011 |accessdate=11 May 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824073451/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6911 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> electricity<ref name="electricité">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6674 |title=The French state must immediately oppose the announced boom in electricity prices |publisher=] |date=23 March 2011 |accessdate=27 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824051004/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6674 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref>) which has "harmful consequences on the purchasing power of the working and middle-class families".<ref name="essence1" /><ref name="essence2" /><ref name="essence3" /> In her view, this rise mainly stems from the European liberalization of the energy sector, jointly implemented by right wing and socialist governments since 1996.<ref name="energy1" /><ref name="gas" /><ref name="electricité" /> | |||
Le Pen is opposed to ], which she blames for various negative economic trends, and opposes ] and ], instead favouring a loosely confederate 'Europe of the Nations'.<ref name="dupes">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3699 |title=Sarkozy dupes the French while with his cronies at Davos |publisher=] |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=4 November 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111146/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3699 |archive-date=27 July 2011}}</ref> As of 2019, she no longer advocates for France to leave the EU or euro currency;<ref name="chrisafis" /> she had previously called both for France to leave the ]<ref name="realproblem">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/%C2%AB-le-vrai-probleme-c%E2%80%99est-l%E2%80%99euro-%C2%BB/|title=Marine Le Pen: "The real problem is the Euro!"|work=Front National|date=4 May 2010|access-date=4 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521170918/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/%C2%AB-le-vrai-probleme-c%E2%80%99est-l%E2%80%99euro-%C2%BB/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and for a referendum on France leaving the EU.<ref name="frexit">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36653390|title=Brexit 'most important moment since Berlin Wall': Le Pen|work=BBC News|access-date=28 June 2016|archive-date=14 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914024458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36653390|url-status=live}}</ref> She has been a vocal opponent of the ],<ref name="Treaty of Lisbon">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1763|title=Reform of the French Post's statute: a serious undermining of the public utilities|publisher=Front National|date=3 October 2009|access-date=29 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927132646/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1763|url-status=dead}}</ref> and opposes ] for ] and ].<ref name="turkish">{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20090312+ITEM-010+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=4-256|title=European Parliament resolution on Turkey's progress report 2008 (explanations of vote)|publisher=]|date=12 March 2009|access-date=20 November 2010|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629103601/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2F%2FEP%2F%2FTEXT+CRE+20090312+ITEM-010+DOC+XML+V0%2F%2FEN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=4-256|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ukrinform.ua">" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308061856/http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/marine_le_pen_ukraines_association_with_eu___best_option_305625 |date=8 March 2014 }}". ]. 26 June 2013</ref> She proposes the replacement of the ]<ref name="MLPCP">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/protections-aux-frontieres-comment-relancer-l%E2%80%99industrie-et-l%E2%80%99emploi/|title=Protections at boundaries: how to revive industry and employment ?|publisher=Front National|date=10 June 2011|access-date=5 November 2011|language=fr|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055257/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/protections-aux-frontieres-comment-relancer-l%E2%80%99industrie-et-l%E2%80%99emploi/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="MLPWDC">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=149279|title=Marine Le Pen's press conference at the National Press Club in Washington|work=Nations Presse Info|date=3 November 2011|access-date=4 November 2011|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218093013/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=149279|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> and the abolition of the ].<ref name="abolition">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6965 |title=Marine Le Pen launches the debate about the future of IMF |publisher=] |date=20 May 2011 |access-date=21 May 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602151724/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6965 |archive-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> | |||
She advocates an immediate reduction of 20% of the domestic tax on oil products (TIPP), a surcharge of fantastic profits of the largest gas and oil companies and a struggle against international ] on basic products such as food and energy.<ref name="energy1" /><ref name="energy2" /><ref name="essence1" /><ref name="essence2" /><ref name="essence3" /> She considers that "a strong state has authority to be the guarantor of public utilities, being the exclusive owner of the strategic companies of public utility and the regulator of tariffs".<ref name="gas" /> | |||
===Foreign policy=== | |||
After a fatal event occurred on 12 September 2011 in the ] nuclear installation located on the ], she claimed that "this accident illustrated the dangerousness of this energy and the necessity to consider a progressive and well-thought-out exit from ]". In her view, "the State must secure the 58 ] and invest in researches to process ]". She advocates to "start the energy diversification of France, in particular with an ambitious programme of research into ]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7343 |archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160227202216/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7343 |dead-url=yes |archive-date=27 February 2016 |title=Marcoule's nuclear accident: the urgency to secure the plants|publisher=]|date=12 September 2011|accessdate=18 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
On foreign policy, Le Pen has criticised Turkish President ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Controverse avec Erdogan: Marine Le Pen appelle à durcir la réponse |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20201025-controverse-avec-erdogan-marine-le-pen-appelle-%C3%A0-durcir-la-r%C3%A9ponse |publisher=France 24 |date=25 October 2020 |access-date=10 April 2022 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410135015/https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20201025-controverse-avec-erdogan-marine-le-pen-appelle-%C3%A0-durcir-la-r%C3%A9ponse |url-status=live }}</ref> She also criticised the privileged relations that France maintains with countries such as ] and ], which she said are helping to fund and arm ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Marine Le Pen voit un mensonge d'Etat sur l'Arabie et le Qatar |url=https://www.capital.fr/economie-politique/marine-le-pen-voit-un-mensonge-d-etat-sur-l-arabie-et-le-qatar-1004218 |work=Capital.fr |date=13 January 2015 |access-date=10 April 2022 |archive-date=10 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410135531/https://www.capital.fr/economie-politique/marine-le-pen-voit-un-mensonge-d-etat-sur-l-arabie-et-le-qatar-1004218 |url-status=live }}</ref> while encouraging closer ties with the ] and ], which she said "fight fundamentalism".<ref>{{cite news|work=]|title=French far-right 'courting UAE funding' for presidential election campaign|date=30 October 2016|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/french-far-right-courting-uae-funding-presidential-election-campaign}}</ref> She has said she believes that ] has been "subjugated" by the United States.<ref name="vassal">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2014/12/lukraine-de-louest-desormais-ouvertement-vassalisee-par-washington/|title=L'Ukraine de l'Ouest désormais " ouvertement " vassalisée par Washington|publisher=]|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706153814/http://www.frontnational.com/2014/12/lukraine-de-louest-desormais-ouvertement-vassalisee-par-washington/|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was strongly critical of ] policy in the region, of ]an ],<ref name="vassal" /> and of threatened economic sanctions.<ref name="ukrinform.ua" /> In response to the ] of Ukraine, Le Pen criticized Russia's action despite her previous pro-Russia stance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bremner |first1=Charles |title=French election 2022: Presidential hopefuls forced into U-turns on Russia after Ukraine invasion |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk//article/french-presidential-hopefuls-forced-into-u-turns-on-russia-ldxp97t9z |work=] |date=25 February 2022 |language=en |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226070218/https://www.thetimes.co.uk//article/french-presidential-hopefuls-forced-into-u-turns-on-russia-ldxp97t9z |url-status=live }}</ref> She advocated welcoming ] fleeing the war.<ref>{{cite news |title=Europe Begins Welcoming Ukrainian Refugees |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/europe-begins-welcoming-ukrainian-refugees/6461723.html |work=] |date=27 February 2022 |access-date=10 April 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326063732/https://www.voanews.com/a/europe-begins-welcoming-ukrainian-refugees/6461723.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She has stated that if elected she would remove France from NATO's integrated military command.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Roger |date=13 April 2022 |title=Le Pen Backs NATO-Russia Reconciliation and Reduced French Role in Alliance |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/world/europe/le-pen-nato-russia-germany.html |access-date=14 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In October 2023, she condemned ]' actions during the ] and expressed her support to ] and its right to self-defense.<ref>{{cite news |title=Once toxic, Marine Le Pen is closer to goal of being Macron's heir |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/once-toxic-marine-le-pen-is-closer-to-goal-of-being-macrons-heir-zh8xxn892 |work=] |date=21 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israel's Diaspora Affairs Minister Chikli Says Le Pen as French President 'Excellent for Israel' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-01/ty-article/.premium/diaspora-affairs-minister-chikli-says-le-pen-as-french-president-excellent-for-israel/00000190-6d11-d9ec-a19e-ef150a860000 |work=Haaretz |date=1 July 2024}}</ref> In May 2024, she officially met with an Israeli government minister for the first time.<ref>{{cite news |title=In snap election, many French Jews reluctantly endorse far right over dreaded far left |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-snap-election-many-french-jews-reluctantly-endorse-far-right-over-dreaded-far-left/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=29 June 2024}}</ref> | |||
===Other issues=== | |||
She favours ] (''ferroutage'') and public transport.<ref name="envi" /> | |||
Regarding ], Le Pen often says she identifies as a feminist in the context of defending women's rights and improving women's lives, although she is critical of what she calls "neo-feminism", which she characterises as women going to war against men.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.elle.fr/Societe/News/Marine-Le-Pen-face-a-ELLE-Je-suis-contre-toutes-les-deconstructions-4007525|title=Marine Le Pen face à ELLE: « Je suis contre toutes les déconstructions »|magazine=ELLE France|date=9 March 2022|last1=Djamshidi|first1=Ava|last2=Etchegoin|first2=Marie-France|language=French|access-date=21 March 2022|archive-date=21 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321035309/https://www.elle.fr/Societe/News/Marine-Le-Pen-face-a-ELLE-Je-suis-contre-toutes-les-deconstructions-4007525|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|url=https://twitter.com/mlp_officiel/status/1370121268884869124|user=MLP_officiel|title=📹 « OUI je suis féministe, mais pas néo-féministe. Je n'exprime pas d'hostilité à l'égard des hommes. Nous devons construire une société du respect. Les hommes sont des partenaires, pas des ennemis. #FaceÀBFM »|number=1370121268884869124}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} | |||
== |
==Media image== | ||
{{Update section|date=August 2023}} | |||
Marine Le Pen denounces the current ] as "a crying injustice". She claims that the main groups of CAC 40 only pay 8% of corporate tax whereas the ], the small and medium enterprises, the ] and the ]s fully pay 33.33%. She advocates to implement a flexible corporate tax according to the use of ]: heavier when the profits benefit the ]s and lighter when the profits turn towards ], ], employment and productive investment, enabling a relocation of activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/super-profits-du-cac40-comment-en-faire-profiter-les-francais/|title=Fantastic profits of CAC 40 : how to make benefit French people ?|publisher=Front National|date=17 March 2011|accessdate=17 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
===National media=== | |||
] | |||
Le Pen's appearances on television and radio have played an important role in her political career, and her political activities are regularly covered in the French media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/Marine-Le-Pen_a195910.html |title=Marine Le Pen |work=] |author=Philippe Cohen |date=31 July 2010 |access-date=19 November 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108110948/http://www.marianne2.fr/Marine-Le-Pen_a195910.html |archive-date= 8 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/ennemie-n-des-partis-politiques-francais-3407/|title=The arch-enemy of the French political parties|work=Le Nouvel Économiste|author=Michèle Cotta|date=24 August 2010|access-date=20 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=30 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430193842/http://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/ennemie-n-des-partis-politiques-francais-3407/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
During an appearance on the programme ''Mots croisés'' (Crossed Words) on ] on 5 October 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1784|title=Marine Le Pen during the ''Mots croisés'' programme on France 2 (Theme: sex crimes – How to prevent subsequent offences ?)|publisher=]|date=8 October 2009|access-date=7 June 2011|language=fr|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517133948/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=1784|url-status=dead}}</ref> Le Pen quoted sections of ]'s autobiographical novel '']'', accusing him of having sex with underage boys and engaging in ], and demanding his resignation as ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6270217/Frederic-Mitterrand-admitted-to-paying-for-sex-with-young-boys-in-Thailand.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6270217/Frederic-Mitterrand-admitted-to-paying-for-sex-with-young-boys-in-Thailand.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Frédéric Mitterrand admitted to paying for sex with 'young boys' in Thailand|work=The Daily Telegraph|author=Henry Samuel|date=7 October 2009|access-date=7 June 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mitterrand-fights-for-his-job-after-rent-boy-admission-1799299.html|title=Mitterrand fights for his job after rent boy admission|work=The Independent|location=UK|author=John Lichfield|date=8 October 2009|access-date=7 June 2011|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610150556/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/mitterrand-fights-for-his-job-after-rent-boy-admission-1799299.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to French political commentator ], the Mitterrand case was Le Pen's media breakthrough.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |title=J. Fourquet: "Marine Le Pen has broken through the Mitterrand case" |work=] |date=14 April 2010 |access-date=7 June 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721105545/http://www.marianne2.fr/J-Fourquet-Marine-Le-Pen-a-perce-lors-de-l-affaire-Mitterrand_a191750.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> | |||
===European Union and globalization=== | |||
]|264x264px]] | |||
As MEP, she holds globalization, ]s, 'euro-mondialism', free trade and ultra-liberalism responsible for the decline of agriculture<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=4658 |title=Agriculture : Euthanasia by Brussels |publisher=] |date=27 April 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429104517/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=4658 |archivedate=29 April 2010 }}</ref> and the ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5176 |title=Fishermen persecuted by the European Union |publisher=] |date=9 June 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111402/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5176 |archivedate=27 July 2011 }}</ref> ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20091214+ITEM-016+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=1-119|title=Prospects for the Doha Development Agenda following the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference (debate)|publisher=]|date=14 December 2009|accessdate=4 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3656 |title=Closure of Total oil refinery at Dunkirk |publisher=] |date=25 January 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111441/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3656 |archivedate=27 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6044 |title=Video speech about the G-20 Seoul summit (G 20 / France 0) |publisher=] |date=10 November 2010 |accessdate=10 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506125733/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6044 |archivedate=6 May 2011 }}</ref> Advocating a 'Europe of the nations' like a loose confederation of sovereign ]s, she opposes ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3699 |title=Sarkozy dupes the French while with his cronies at Davos |publisher=] |date=27 January 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111146/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3699 |archivedate=27 July 2011}}</ref> the euro and the ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/%C2%AB-le-vrai-probleme-c%E2%80%99est-l%E2%80%99euro-%C2%BB/|title=Marine Le Pen : "The real problem is the Euro!"|work=Front National|date=4 May 2010|accessdate=4 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> the ] of Brussels,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5964 |title=The Brussels gravy train : enough is enough! |publisher=] |date=19 October 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111332/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5964 |archivedate=27 July 2011 }}</ref> and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=4984 |title=Monetary sovereignty or economic and social chaos |publisher=] |date=20 May 2010 |accessdate=4 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727111252/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=4984 |archivedate=27 July 2011 }}</ref> | |||
Le Pen appeared several times on ''À vous de juger'' (You Be The Judge), a political discussion show on ] hosted by journalist and commentator ]. In her first appearance, on 14 January 2010, Marine Le Pen appeared opposite ], then-Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually Supportive Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3513|title=''À vous de juger'': debate between Marine Le Pen and Éric Besson|publisher=]|date=15 January 2010|access-date=27 December 2010|language=fr|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927131011/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=3513|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
She claims that the ] is the 'gravedigger of the independence and identity of the European nations' and the 'executioner of public utilities in the name of a cult of profitability and ] – both mortal enemies of ]'.<ref name="servicespublics" /><ref name="Treaty of Lisbon" /> In her view, the Treaty of Lisbon is an 'exact copy' of the European Constitution which was twice rejected by referendum: first in ] by 54.67% of the voters on 29 May 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/rf2005/000/000.html|title=29 May 2005 European Constitution referendum : results in France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=15 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-lesprit-du-29-mai/|title=Marine Le Pen : "The spirit of 29 May"|publisher=Front National|date=28 May 2010|accessdate=4 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and then in ] by 61.54% of the voters on 1 June 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/Na1918/Verkiezingsuitslagen.aspx?VerkiezingsTypeId=6|title=Verkiezingsuitslagen Referendum 2005—Nederland|work=Kiesraad|accessdate=15 November 2010|language=nl}}</ref> She thus regretted that the Treaty of Lisbon had been imposed on the French people by parliament in order to avoid another referendum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20091215+ITEM-012+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=2-135|title=Question Hour with the President of the Commission-1|publisher=]|date=15 December 2009|accessdate=4 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20091215+ITEM-012+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=2-137|title=Question Hour with the President of the Commission-2|publisher=]|date=15 December 2009 |accessdate=11 April 2010}}</ref> She also criticized its approval by the ].<ref name="Treaty of Lisbon" /> She denounces the Treaty's amending implemented by the EU leaders, notably Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6192 |title=The European peoples' sacrifice for the euro is engraved in the marble of the Treaty of Lisbon |publisher=] |date=17 December 2010 |accessdate=4 January 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825081010/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6192 |archivedate=25 August 2011}}</ref> In her view, the revision is aimed at "solving the euro" and "forever eliminating the budgetary sovereignty of the states to institute a kind of supranational European monetary fund".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6003 |title=Revision of the Treaty of Lisbon : the European oligarchy selects the financial markets against the peoples |publisher=] |date=29 October 2010 |accessdate=4 January 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825004934/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6003 |archivedate=25 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
In her first appearance as a main guest on ''À vous de juger'', on 9 December 2010, she was questioned on economic, social and immigration issues by Chabot and political commentator ]; she then took part in debates, first with the socialist ] of ] ] and then ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6150 |title=Marine Le Pen in ''À vous de juger'': replies to Arlette Chabot (1st part), replies to Alain Duhamel (2nd part), talks with Manuel Valls (3rd part), debate with Rachida Dati (4th part) |publisher=] |date=10 December 2010 |access-date=20 September 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907010858/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6150 |archive-date=7 September 2011 }}</ref> The broadcast was viewed by 3,356,000 viewers (14.6% of the television audience),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118286|title=Marine Le Pen boosts the audience of ''À vous de juger''|work=Nations Presse Info (])|date=10 December 2010|access-date=27 December 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218115106/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=118286|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> the highest viewing figures for 2010 and the fourth highest since the series first aired in September 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/chroniqueurs-du-point/emmanuel-berretta/bon-score-pour-marine-le-pen-chez-arlette-chabot-10-12-2010-1273547_52.php|title=Marine Le Pen got a high score in ''À vous de juger''|work=]|language=fr|first=Emmanuel |last=Berretta|date=10 December 2010|access-date=27 December 2010|archive-date=13 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213234922/http://www.lepoint.fr/chroniqueurs-du-point/emmanuel-berretta/bon-score-pour-marine-le-pen-chez-arlette-chabot-10-12-2010-1273547_52.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In December 2010, French journalist Guillaume Tabard described Le Pen as the "revelation of the year", and as "first an electoral phenomenon" and "a media phenomenon after".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.lesechos.fr/guillaume-tabard/le-pen-bis-repetitat-a4819.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710051408/http://blogs.lesechos.fr/guillaume-tabard/le-pen-bis-repetitat-a4819.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 10 July 2012 |title=Le Pen, bis repetita |work=] |first=Guillaume|last=Tabard |date=31 December 2010 |access-date=31 December 2010 |language=fr }}</ref> | |||
Opposed to the ], she prefers the option of a "privileged partnership".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+CRE+20090312+ITEM-010+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN&query=INTERV&detail=4-256|title=European Parliament resolution on Turkey's progress report 2008 (explanations of vote)|publisher=]|date=12 March 2009|accessdate=20 November 2010}}</ref> Marine Le Pen opposes accession of Ukraine to the European Union, while supporting its association status.<ref name="ukrinform.ua">"". ]. 26 June 2013</ref> She is currently campaigning for a referendum on France leaving the EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36653390|title=Brexit 'most important moment since Berlin Wall': Le Pen |publisher=BBC News|access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> | |||
''À vous de juger'' was replaced on France 2 by ''Des paroles et des actes'' (Words and Acts), hosted by journalist and anchorman ]. In her first appearance as a main guest on 23 June 2011, Le Pen appeared opposite ], national secretary of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7091 |title=Marine Le Pen on France 2 |publisher=] |date=24 June 2011 |access-date=24 June 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627115241/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7091 |archive-date=27 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/politique/marine-pen-relance-machine-112899.html|title=Marine Le Pen revives the machine|work=France-Soir|language=fr|date=24 June 2011|access-date=25 June 2011|archive-date=27 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627110326/http://www.francesoir.fr/actualite/politique/marine-pen-relance-machine-112899.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The broadcast was viewed by 3,582,000 viewers (15.1% of the television audience at the time).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tele.premiere.fr/News-Tele/Audiences-TV-TF1-en-tete-avec-Interpol-bon-score-pour-le-premier-numero-de-Des-paroles-et-des-actes-2765118|title=''Des paroles et des actes'' on France 2: viewers and televised audience (statistics)|work=]|date=24 June 2011|access-date=24 June 2011|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627234920/http://tele.premiere.fr/News-Tele/Audiences-TV-TF1-en-tete-avec-Interpol-bon-score-pour-le-premier-numero-de-Des-paroles-et-des-actes-2765118|archive-date=27 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Medias/Television/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-toujours-championne-de-l-audimat-336005/?from=cover|title=Marine Le Pen still champion of the ratings|work=]|date=24 June 2011|access-date=24 June 2011|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323224543/http://www.lejdd.fr/Medias/Television/Actualite/Marine-Le-Pen-toujours-championne-de-l-audimat-336005/?from=cover|archive-date=23 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
====Euro and eurozone==== | |||
She is a strong opponent of the Euro and advocates leaving the common currency. | |||
Le Pen has also appeared on ''Parole directe'' (Direct Speech) on ], hosted by ] and political commentator ]. Her first appearance as a sole guest on 15 September 2011 was viewed by an average of 6 million viewers (23.3% of the television audience) with a peak of 7.3 million in the second half of the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://videos.tf1.fr/parole-directe/parole-directe-avec-marine-le-pen-l-emission-integrale-6705152.html |title="Direct speech" with Marine Le Pen |publisher=] |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924032129/http://videos.tf1.fr/parole-directe/parole-directe-avec-marine-le-pen-l-emission-integrale-6705152.html |archive-date=24 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozap.com/actu/audiences-marine-le-pen-suivie-par-6-millions-de-telespectateurs-sur-tf1/436474|title=Audiences: Marine Le Pen suivie par 6 millions de téléspectateurs sur TF1|trans-title=TV audience: Marine Le Pen followed on TF1 by 6 million viewers|publisher=]|date=16 September 2011|access-date=16 September 2011|language=fr|archive-date=23 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923164920/http://www.ozap.com/actu/audiences-marine-le-pen-suivie-par-6-millions-de-telespectateurs-sur-tf1/436474|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
She claims that the implementation of the Euro entailed a rise in ]s and its abandonment would lead to an increase in purchasing power.<ref name="sortieeuro2">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortir-de-l-euro-creera-du-pouvoir-achat.pdf |title=Leaving euro will create purchasing power |publisher=] |date=2 March 2011 |accessdate=5 March 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409064425/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortir-de-l-euro-creera-du-pouvoir-achat.pdf |archivedate=9 April 2011}}</ref> Quoting economic data from ] (annual average growth, unemployment, GDP gap), she notes that "the European countries which did not enter the euro display higher performances than countries in the eurozone for ten years".<ref name="sortieeuro2" /> Interviewed in October 2011 by ] on ], she cited the UK's relative stability as an example of how France's economy need not suffer from pulling out of the euro. She noticed that "United Kingdom is not in the eurozone and does not have the least desire to be in it. UK does not tolerate this kind of taking away of its freedom".<ref name="SkyNews" /> | |||
===International media=== | |||
In order to recover monetary sovereignty, she advocates that France should gradually leave the euro with a new conversion rate fixed to 1 euro = 1 ]. In her view, France should jointly negotiate a "grouped departure" from the euro and eurozone. This departure should take effect on the same day and include the other European countries (such as Ireland, Greece, ], Spain, ], Belgium) which are suffering because of the single currency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortir-de-leuro.pdf |title=How will we leave euro ? the twelve essential steps ! |publisher=] |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=7 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214055327/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortir-de-leuro.pdf |archivedate=14 December 2010}}</ref> Since the present government and the whole political class had strongly criticized her economic plan, she submitted a new document detailing how a successful departure of United Kingdom, Spain and Italy from the ] (EMS) had been achieved from September 1992.<ref name="sortieeuro1">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortie_euro.pdf |title=The winning countries are those which will leave |publisher=] |date=21 December 2010 |accessdate=21 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304072437/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/sortie_euro.pdf |archivedate=4 March 2011}}</ref> | |||
Le Pen has appeared in the news media of other European countries,<ref name="guardian" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772875,00.html|title=Madame Rage: Marine Le Pen's Populism for the Masses (Part 1: Marine Le Pen's Populism for the Masses, Part 2: The Divide Between the Governing and the Governed, Part 3: 'As a Woman, You Have a Close Relationship with Reality'|work=Der Spiegel|author=Mathieu von Rohr|date=7 July 2011|access-date=11 July 2011|archive-date=30 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730065634/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,772875,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Russia,<ref name="Kommersant">{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1793754|title=France will pull out of NATO – Marine Le Pen speaks to Kommersant about her programme|work=]|date=13 October 2011|access-date=18 October 2011|language=ru|archive-date=15 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015133215/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/1793754|url-status=live}}</ref> the Middle East,<ref name="Haaretz">{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/the-daughter-as-de-demonizer-1.335743|title=The daughter as de-demonizer|work=Haaretz|author=Adar Primor|date=7 January 2011|access-date=7 January 2011|archive-date=11 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111064837/http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/the-daughter-as-de-demonizer-1.335743|url-status=live}}</ref> and the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2040141,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102154848/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2040141,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2011|title=Marine Le Pen: Her Father's Daughter|magazine=Time|author=Bruce Crumley|date=3 February 2011|access-date=12 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-france-le-pen-20110117,0,1943134.story|title=A new Le Pen will lead the French far right|work=Los Angeles Times|author=Devorah Lauter|date=17 January 2011|access-date=30 January 2011|archive-date=19 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119163042/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-france-le-pen-20110117,0,1943134.story|url-status=live}}</ref> She appeared on ] web-radio station Rockik in December 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=18934|title=Marine Le Pen on the Québec webradio ''Rockik''|work=Nations Presse Info (Rockik)|date=8 December 2008|access-date=27 December 2010|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ] in May 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=101890|title=Marine Le Pen on ''Radio Canada''|work=Nations Presse Info (])|date=21 May 2010|access-date=27 December 2010|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904190639/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=101890|archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> and the Israeli radio station 90FM in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6731 |title=Marine Le Pen on the Israeli radio 90FM |publisher=] |date=31 March 2011 |access-date=31 March 2011 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824183115/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6731 |archive-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> In March 2011, she appeared on the front cover of '']'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/tws/Search/SearchIssues.asp?from_year=2011&from_month=03&to_year=2011&to_month=03&x=36&y=9|title=Cover Gallery|work=]|date=March 2011|access-date=8 March 2011|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628182814/http://www.weeklystandard.com/tws/Search/SearchIssues.asp?from_year=2011&from_month=03&to_year=2011&to_month=03&x=36&y=9|url-status=dead}}</ref> She spoke to international journalists at a press conference on 13 January 2012, organised by the European American Press Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-invitee-par-leuropean-american-press-club/|title=Marine Le Pen invited by the European American Press Club|work=Front National|date=19 January 2012|access-date=6 February 2011|language=fr|archive-date=22 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122060637/http://www.frontnational.com/videos/marine-le-pen-invitee-par-leuropean-american-press-club/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
On 21 April 2011, she was featured in the 2011 ''Time'' 100<ref name="MLPTIME" /> with a commentary from ], leader of the far-right ] and vice chairman of the ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066134,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424131103/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066134,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2011|title=Marine Le Pen (The 2011 TIME 100)|magazine=Time|author=]|date=21 April 2011|access-date=22 April 2011}}</ref> | |||
She explains the tenet and the mechanism of a competitive ] (]),<ref name="sortieeuro1" /> which "will quickly have a positive effect on employment and purchasing power, stimulating industry, ] and enabling to fight offshorings".<ref name="sortieeuro2" /> Quoting extracts from a book by the French economist Alain Cotta, she claims that a devaluation of the franc will not bring about inflation.<ref name="sortieeuro2" /> | |||
In October 2011, she launched her book "Pour que vive la France" in ], and met Assunta Almirante, the widow of ], leader of the far-right ] (MSI).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://droites-extremes.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/10/22/marine-le-pen-en-italie-lombre-portee-du-msi/ |title=Marine Le Pen en Italie: l'ombre portée du MSI | Droite(s) extrême(s) |newspaper=Le Monde |date=22 October 2011 |publisher=Droites-extremes.blog.lemonde.fr |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107024304/http://droites-extremes.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/10/22/marine-le-pen-en-italie-lombre-portee-du-msi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
She anticipates a "total economic federalization of the eurozone". In her view, "this option which is favoured by the European technostructure, presents all the features of a totalitarian utopia". She claims that a "monstrous superstructure, already named 'European ministry of Finance', would decide in the opaqueness our policies of education, health and security". In her view, "the federal headlong rush also supposes a massive financial transfer of our countries towards ] and Eastern Europe, at the detriment of the most vulnerable French people".<ref name="Marineeuro">{{cite web|url=http://www.lesechos.fr/opinions/points_vue/0201520019170-pour-un-retour-a-la-liberte-monetaire-196503.php|title=Going back to the monetary freedom|work=]|author=Marine Le Pen|date=21 July 2011|accessdate=25 July 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In February 2013, she spoke at the ], the debating society of the ]. Her appearance sparked controversy, with anti-fascist group ] opposing her invitation on a ] basis and organising a demonstration outside the venue, attended by around 200 people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marine Le Pen sparks Cambridge protests |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/9881110/Marine-Le-Pen-sparks-Cambridge-protests.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-life/9881110/Marine-Le-Pen-sparks-Cambridge-protests.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=] |location=London |date=19 February 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pilgrim |first=Sophie |date=19 February 2013 |title=Marine Le Pen sparks protest on Cambridge visit |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130219-marine-le-pen-protest-cambridge-union-french/ |work=] |location=Paris |publisher=] |access-date=1 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305163217/http://www.france24.com/en/20130219-marine-le-pen-protest-cambridge-union-french/ |archive-date=5 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The protests were supported by numerous Cambridge societies, including ] and ]; other groups, such as the Cambridge Libertarians, supported her invitation.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Root |first=James |date=17 February 2013 |title=No Platform for Marine Le Pen – A Response by Cambridge Libertarians |url=http://www.cambridgelibertarians.org.uk/blog/2013/no-platform-for-marine-le-pen-a-response/ |location=Cambridge, UK |publisher=Cambridge Libertarians |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118144449/http://www.cambridgelibertarians.org.uk/blog/2013/no-platform-for-marine-le-pen-a-response/ |archive-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> | |||
About successive ] plans, she laments that "the contributing countries, France in particular, throw in the hole of the European debt billions which dig their deficits and come them closer to the eye of the cyclone".<ref name="Marineeuro" /> In her view, "the hundred of billions paid do not product any result, will not settle any problem, will not rescue a eurozone already in bankruptcy and push France into the chasm of excessive debt, whereas the French debt has already exploded under the mandate of Nicolas Sarkozy". Fearing that "France falls into the excessive debt", she refuses "any new assistance plan in order to bail out one after the other the countries suffering because of the single currency".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7212 |title=Irresponsability of Sarkozy who involves France into the way of excessive debt |publisher=] |date=2 August 2011 |accessdate=3 August 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824095709/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7212 |archivedate=24 August 2011 }}</ref> | |||
==Legal issues== | |||
She asserts that despite the expansion of the abilities of the ], reassuring announcements and new austerity plans, Greece is sinking, social devastation is intensifying and the anger of the people bursts out.<ref name="Marineeuro" /> In July 2011, she claimed that "after the seventeen billions of the first Greek bailout plan, the fifteen billions of the new assistance plan to Greece will make heavy our own already huge debt".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7172|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160228110413/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7172|dead-url=yes|archive-date=28 February 2016|title=European summit: again 109 billions of euro of public money which will be spent for nothing !|publisher=]|date=22 July 2011|accessdate=3 August 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7180 |title=15 new billions of French euro to Greece: one must stop squandering the money of French people |publisher=] |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=3 August 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824100056/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7180 |archivedate=24 August 2011 }}</ref> During her press conference organized on 6 September 2011 at the ] in front of the ], she vigorously denounced the favourable voting by Socialist and UMP-] MPs of second Greek bailout plan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7297|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160227165853/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7297|dead-url=yes|archive-date=27 February 2016|title=Marine Le Pen denounces the 15 billions of Euro used for Greece (speech at the Pont de la Concorde)|publisher=]|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110906-711536.html |title=France's National Front Protests Greek Rescue, French Austerity |work=The Wall Street Journal |author=Gabriele Parussin |date=6 September 2011 |accessdate=7 September 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928082539/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110906-711536.html |archivedate=28 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7305|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160228191638/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7305|dead-url=yes|archive-date=28 February 2016|title=Marine Le Pen's media appearances|publisher=]|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In October 2023, Le Pen was convicted of committing ] against French NGO ] when she accused the organization in a January 2022 television interview of being "accomplices to smugglers" and being involved in an "illegal immigration network from the ]" in ].<ref name="defamation">{{cite news |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Marine Le Pen found guilty of defamation after accusing French NGO of smuggling migrants in Mayotte |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/13/marine-le-pen-found-guilty-of-defamation-after-accusing-french-ngo-of-smuggling-migrants-i |accessdate=December 10, 2023 |publisher=Euronews}}</ref> She was ordered to pay €500 and to also sustain court costs.<ref name="defamation" /> | |||
In December 2023, Le Pen was ordered to stand trial after she was charged with paying National Rally party officials through funds earmarked for ] assistants.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kostov |first=Nick |date=December 8, 2023 |title=France's Marine Le Pen to Face Trial Over Spending |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/frances-marine-le-pen-to-face-trial-over-spending-e41ced4e |accessdate=December 10, 2023 |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> Twenty-seven others, including her father ], will serve as her co-defendants.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 8, 2023 |title=French far-right leader Marine Le Pen to stand trial over alleged misuse of EU funds |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/french-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-stand-trial-over-alleged-misuse-eu-funds-2023-12-08/ |accessdate=December 10, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Her trial, for embezzlement of public funds, was scheduled in March 2024 to occur between 30 September and 27 November the same year.<ref name="lem1">{{cite news |date=27 March 2024 |title=Marine le Pen sera jugée à partir du 30 septembre pour des soupçons de détournement de fonds européens |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2024/03/27/marine-le-pen-sera-jugee-a-partir-du-30-septembre-pour-des-soupcons-de-detournement-de-fonds-europeens_6224493_823448.html |newspaper=Le Monde.fr}}</ref> Le Pen claimed as a self defense that she has committed no wrongdoing. The founder of the party, Marine Le Pen’s father and a former member of the EU assembly, was also supposed to have a trial, but judges decided the 96-year-old was too fragile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Subscribe to read |url=https://www.ft.com/content/19f89c4b-21bf-46a5-81e8-844259918e61 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=www.ft.com}}</ref> | |||
====Geopolitics and intergovernmental organizations==== | |||
She pledged to pull France out of ], saying that the National Front has from day one been opposed to NATO membership.<ref name="Russia">{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/world/20110413/163514574.html|title=France to ditch NATO, embrace Russia if National Front comes to power|publisher=]|date=13 April 2011|accessdate=14 April 2011}}</ref> Interviewed in October 2011 by '']'', she claimed that "she believed in a ]".<ref name="Kommersant" /><ref name="RT">{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/politics/press/kommersant/france-nato-secede/en/ |title=France will secede from NATO |publisher=] |author=Elena Chernenko |date=13 October 2011 |accessdate=10 November 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103205838/https://rt.com/politics/press/kommersant/france-nato-secede/en/ |archivedate=3 November 2011}}</ref> | |||
In her view, France has also to revise its geostrategic relations with the USA.<ref name="Russia" /> She regularly denounces France's ] towards the USA. She advocates that France takes its independence towards US and regains the geopolitical independence beloved by ].<ref name="Marianne">{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/Afghanistan-Marine-Le-Pen-veut-quitter-l-orbite-americaine_a201365.html?com |title=Afghanistan : Marine Le Pen seeks to leave the US sphere of influence |work=] |date=9 January 2011 |accessdate=10 January 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112173550/http://www.marianne2.fr:80/Afghanistan-Marine-Le-Pen-veut-quitter-l-orbite-americaine_a201365.html?com |archivedate=12 January 2011 |df=dmy}}</ref> | |||
In May 2011, she claimed that the "old institutions" such as ], ] and International Monetary Fund were "expired". | |||
In 2011, she advocated the "replacement of WTO by an 'International Trade Organization', founded on the sane principles of protection, interest of people and support to small and medium enterprises, the 'humbles' faced with the 'powerful' and cartels".<ref name="MLPCP" /><ref name="MLPWDC" /> | |||
In her view, IMF which "has become an infernal machine at the service of the ultraliberal ideology, is in its current form an extremely harmful institution". She claims that "the structural adjustment plans that IMF imposes on countries where it operates, systematically result in privatization of public utilities, dismantling of the state, drop in salaries and pensions, and removal of protections at boundaries". In her view, "citizens are always the first victims of IMF like in ] and ]". She claims that "the in-depth results of IMF are disastrous : rise in debts and sharp increase in rhythm of ] for two decades". She consequently advocates the abolition of IMF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6965 |title=Marine Le Pen launches the debate about the future of IMF |publisher=] |date=20 May 2011 |accessdate=21 May 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602151724/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6965 |archivedate=2 June 2011}}</ref> On 28 July 2011, she reacted after the publication of the ] yearly report on France. In a letter addressed to the managing director of IMF ], she explained in detail the "four pillars to get out France of the debt and straighten out our public accounts".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7196 |title=Marine Le Pen replies to IMF after the publication of its yearly report on France |publisher=] |date=28 July 2011 |accessdate=2 August 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824100405/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7196 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
===Immigration=== | |||
====Illegal immigration==== | |||
Marine Le Pen advocates to "vote for the abolition of the law enabling the regularization of the illegal immigrants". In her view, "this measure corresponds with the interest of France, the respect of its authority and the most elementary justice".<ref name="Nice" /> | |||
In July 2011, she wrote an open letter to policemen, gendarmes and customs officers concerning the policy of the fight against ].<ref name="ilim">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/lettre-ouverte-clandestins.pdf|title=Marine Le Pen's open letter to policemen, gendarmes and customs officers concerning the policy of fight against illegal immigration|work=Nations Presse Info|date=5 July 2011|accessdate=5 July 2011|language=fr}}</ref> She criticized the "passivity and inactivity of the UMP government faced with the collapse of expulsions of illegal immigrants" as well as its "blind submissiveness to very questionable European injunctions". Denouncing a "sharp fall in deportations since the beginning of 2011 after a decrease of near 5% in 2010", she claimed that "most of the detention centres are almost empty in 2011". Advocating the "return of any foreigner illegally entered to France towards his/her country of origin", she claims that she "refuses to give up the fight against illegal immigration".<ref name="ilim" /> | |||
She favours a "radical change of politics in order to drastically reduce upstream the influx of illegal immigrants towards France". In her view, this policy requires to "cut the 'suction pumps' of illegal immigration while France is in this field one of the most incentive countries in the world".<ref name="ilim" /> Implemented in 2000 by Lionel Jospin's government, the ''aide médicale d'Ėtat'' (AME) grants free medical care to illegal immigrants. Denouncing a "state scandal" and an "increasing financial black hole for the French social security system", she "pledges to repeal the AME as soon as she will come to power".<ref name="AME" /><ref name="ilim" /> She claims that, in the wake of selected immigration and then endured immigration, Nicolas Sarkozy is imposing health-care immigration on the French people.<ref name="AME" /> | |||
In February 2011, she claimed that in the wake of the ], Europe and particularly France would be confronted with a surge in illegal immigration. She denounced "the EU's tragic helplessness to respond to this new migratory challenge" and "the EU's inability to face these emergency situations and to control effectively the migratory flows".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6490 |title=Surge in illegal immigrants : when Europe proves the FN right |publisher=] |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226141633/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6490 |archivedate=26 February 2011 }}</ref> | |||
Accompanied by the vice-president of the FN Louis Aliot and ] MEP (]), she travelled to ] on 14 March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6615 |title=Marine Le Pen's press briefing at Lampedusa |publisher=] |date=17 March 2011 |accessdate=18 March 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711045344/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6615 |archivedate=11 July 2011 }}</ref> She met the island's mayor Bernardino De Rubeis (]) and visited a housing center for illegal immigrants. She said that "Europe can't welcome everyone... We would be pleased to take them all in our boat, but it's not big enough. We'll all go to the bottom. We would be adding one misery to another" and "I also want to offer my support to the inhabitants of Lampedusa who have had the feeling of being completely abandoned". Around 9,000 migrants had already reached Lampedusa by boat since mid-January 2011 when ] unleashed a revolution across the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hVNeTL_8MJySWAsIfLUtYOnptFaA?docId=CNG.3641de91692aec1290b0de964b9cbeb6.581|title=French far-right leader visits Italian migrant island|agency=Agence France-Presse |date=14 March 2011|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/8382419/Marine-Le-Pen-says-Europe-cant-handle-migrants.html|title=Marine Le Pen says Europe can't handle migrants|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=15 March 2011|accessdate=16 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/122554/20110315/tunisia-italy-france.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317102501/http://hken.ibtimes.com:80/articles/122554/20110315/tunisia-italy-france.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=17 March 2011 |title=French far-right leader visits migrant detention center in Italy |work=] |date=15 March 2011 |accessdate=15 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/le-pens-anti-immigration-visit-puts-heat-on-sarkozy/story-e6frg6so-1226022056638|title=Le Pen's anti-immigration visit puts heat on Sarkozy|work=The Australian|date=16 March 2011|accessdate=15 March 2011}}</ref> During an international press conference held in Rome on 15 March 2011, she explained the situation of illegal immigration in Lampedusa, emphasized "the helplessness of EU" and how "each nation is more efficient to deal with the issue", and proposed solutions to settle this issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fn-cantonales.fr/Conference-de-Presse-de-Marine-Le-Pen-a-Rome-au-retour-de-Lampedusa_a142.html|title=Marine Le Pen's press conference in Rome after her stay in Lampedusa|publisher=]|date=15 March 2011|accessdate=17 March 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
In order to curb the illegal immigration influx from ] and Libya, she has enjoined Nicolas Sarkozy to announce France's immediate and definitive withdrawal from ] and to reinstate urgently customs controls in all the borders of the country. She claimed that the UMP government's deceptive announcements about Schengen issue aimed at concealing its political inactivity and attempting to cheat public opinion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6839|title=Schengen : Sarkozy admits the extent of the disaster but does not act ! We must leave Schengen Area|publisher=]|date=23 April 2011|accessdate=25 April 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6840 |title=The French-Italian summit of 26 April will be no use if France does not announce that it definitively breaks with Schengen Agreement |publisher=] |date=25 April 2011 |accessdate=25 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824012746/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6840 |archivedate=24 August 2011 }}</ref> In her view, the announcement of a technical adjustment of ] proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy and ] during 26 April 2011 French-Italian summit "will not settle strictly anything". Reminding that the United Kingdom and Ireland have refused the Agreement, she claims that only the withdrawal from Schengen Area will enable France to re-establish necessary customs controls and stop immigration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6844 |title=Schengen : a French-Italian summit for anything |publisher=] |date=26 April 2011 |accessdate=26 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711180417/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6844 |archivedate=11 July 2011}}</ref> She claims that "traffickers and networks of smugglers thrive when a country does not control its borders".<ref name="ilim" /> | |||
Le Pen blamed the ] on the rise of illegal immigration.<ref name="nytimesstrikesshutdownfrenchguiana">{{cite news|last1=Breeden|first1=Aurelien|title=Strikes Shut Down French Guiana, With Effects Resonating in Paris|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/27/world/europe/french-guiana-general-strike-france.html|accessdate=April 3, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> | |||
====Legal immigration==== | |||
Marine Le Pen seeks to establish a moratorium on legal immigration.<ref name="autogenerated24">{{cite web |url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=106307|title=Marine Le Pen : "If I was president..."|work=] (''Nations Presse Info'')|date=8 July 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated25">{{cite web |url=http://www.viepolitique.net/mlepenitv.html|title=Interview : Marine Le Pen|work=Vie Politique|date=29 July 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> During a press conference on 21 February 2011, she unveiled "the 2010 real figures of immigration" based on data transmitted by high-ranking officials of the ], detailed the welfare benefits to which the legal and illegal immigrants are entitled, and proposed concrete solutions based on working models in the UK and the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/immigration-les-vrais-chiffres/|title=Marine Le Pen's press conference : "immigration-the real figures"|publisher=Front National|date=21 February 2011|accessdate=23 February 2011|language=fr}}</ref> In July 2011, she claims that "with 203,000 residence permits allocated in 2010 versus 114,000 in 2000 under Lionel Jospin, the UMP power promotes a laxer than ever policy of legal immigration".<ref name="ilim" /> | |||
], 52.9% of the Swiss voters and 15 <sup>5</sup>/<sub>2</sub> ] approved the ] "for the deportation of criminal foreigners" while the governmental counterproposal was rejected by 54.2% of voters and all the 20 <sup>6</sup>/<sub>2</sub> cantons. She praised "the great victory of the Swiss people against the ruling elite".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6105 |title=Swiss initiative : great victory of the Swiss people against the ruling elite |publisher=] |date=28 November 2010 |accessdate=18 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203161740/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6105 |archivedate=3 December 2010}}</ref> Afterwards, she took part in debates on ] (RSR) with the ] ] ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsr.ch/#/la-1ere/programmes/forum/2685489-la-suisse-version-udc-est-ce-un-modele-pour-le-front-national-for-2010-11-29t18-00-00-developpement-1.html|title=Switzerland UDC version : is it a model for the National Front ?|publisher=] (RSR)|date=29 November 2010|accessdate=18 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and then on ''Radio Cité Genève''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6108 |title=Marine Le Pen on Radio Cité Genève |publisher=] |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=18 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824235205/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6108 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
Interviewed by '']'', she praised ]'s pledge to cut net annual immigration to UK from around 200,000 to "tens of thousands".<ref name="The Daily Telegraph">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8225697/National-Fronts-Marine-Le-Pen-to-prove-formidable-rival-to-Nicolas-Sarkozy.html|title=National Front's Marine Le Pen to prove formidable rival to Nicolas Sarkozy|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|author=Henry Samuel|date=26 December 2010|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref> In February 2011, David Cameron expressed a rejection of ] during a speech at ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/87c14358-308b-11e0-9de3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Db1vMPpj|title=Cameron promises to isolate hostile Muslims|work=Financial Times|author=George Parker|date=4 February 2011|accessdate=11 February 2011}}</ref> Afterwards, she congratulated him, for what she claimed was an endorsement of the FN's views on the failure of multiculturalism and immigration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ce56c4dc-3478-11e0-9ebc-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1Db1vMPpj|title=Le Pen daughter applauds Cameron|work=Financial Times|author=Peggy Hollinger|date=9 February 2011|accessdate=11 February 2011}}</ref> | |||
====Citizenship and nationality==== | |||
In Le Pen's view, ] is indivisible from nationality and rests on the equality of all people before the law; the latter should preclude preferential treatment based on the membership of a social, ethnic or religious category.<ref name="autogenerated26">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=114952|title=Marine Le Pen : "My irreproachable Republic"|work=Nations Presse Info|date=1 November 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> As a result, she favours the repeal of ]<ref name="autogenerated26" /><ref name="DATI">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6158 |title=Rachida Dati is wrong : ethnic affirmative action is indeed encouraged in France |publisher=] |date=10 December 2010 |accessdate=10 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825005700/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6158 |archivedate=25 August 2011 }}</ref> and the restoration of the "republican ]".<ref name="DATI" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.levraidebat.com/article-et-si-la-vraie-tete-pensante-du-fn-c-etait-marine-le-pen-60109362.html |title=And if Marine Le Pen was the real brain of the FN ? |work=Le Vrai Débat |date=1 November 2010 |accessdate=26 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308031139/http://www.levraidebat.com/article-et-si-la-vraie-tete-pensante-du-fn-c-etait-marine-le-pen-60109362.html |archivedate=8 March 2011 }}</ref> | |||
She has said that ] should be the normal route to French nationality, with ] the exception:<ref name="autogenerated26" /> "nationality is inherited or merited".<ref name="autogenerated24" /> In her view, naturalization can only be obtained after a check on the ability of ] to republican principles.<ref name="autogenerated26" /> In order to settle the immigration issue, she advocates a reform of the nationality regulations so as to remove ] and the automatic acquisition of French nationality.<ref name="autogenerated25" /> On 30 May 2011, she wrote a letter to the Members of Parliament about dual citizenship, saying that "in the dual citizenship lie one of the main ferments of breach of the republican cohesion that France needs more than ever and a potent brake on the assimilation of French people from immigration".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7021 |title=Marine Le Pen's letter to the French MPs about dual citizenship |publisher=] |date=1 June 2011 |accessdate=1 June 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606092834/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7021 |archivedate=6 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2011/07/14/la-double-nationalite-heurte-la-majorite-des-francais_1548853_3232.html|title=The dual citizenship upsets the majority of French people (opinion column)|work=Le Monde |language=French|author=Marine Le Pen|date=14 July 2011|accessdate=15 July 2011}}</ref> | |||
She favours an enforcement of the law regarding ].<ref name="autogenerated24" /> In her opinion, a foreigner who does not respect the law in France should be deprived of French nationality; equally any foreigner committing serious crimes and offences in France should be returned to his or her country of origin.<ref name="autogenerated24" /> | |||
She favours a 'French first' policy with regard to employment, welfare and accommodation.<ref name="autogenerated24" /><ref name="autogenerated25" /> | |||
====Communitarianism and secularism==== | |||
Advocating that the FN remains a non-denominational party, Marine Le Pen regularly states her attachment to secularism (]) in French society.<ref name="secularism">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=119240|title=In 2005, Marine Le Pen already spoke about secularism !|work=Nations Presse Info|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=17 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> She vigorously defends the ], stipulating that the French republic does not recognise, grant a salary to, or subsidise any form of religious worship.<ref name="autogenerated26" /><ref name="secularism" /><ref name="Islam">{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/debat-sur-l-islam-marine-le-pen-il-faut-obtenir-la-separation-de-la-mosquee-et-de-l-etat-17-02-2011-1296608_20.php|title=Debate about Islam – Marine Le Pen : "we must obtain the separation of the mosque and the state"|work=Le Point |language=French|date=18 February 2011|accessdate=18 February 2011}}</ref> | |||
She favours a ban on any communitarian or religious demands in schools, and seeks an amendment to the ] stating that the French republic does not recognize any community (denominations and ethnic groups).<ref name="autogenerated24" /><ref name="Islam" /> Opposed to the financing of mosques from public funds, she further seeks to deny their financing from foreign assets.<ref name="autogenerated24" /><ref name="secularism" /><ref name="Islam" /> In her view, the construction, maintenance and financing of places of worship should be a matter for groups of worshippers operating within a regulated framework.<ref name="autogenerated24" /><ref name="autogenerated26" /> She advocates to implement "the separation of the mosque and the state" and opposes the training of Imams by the French republic.<ref name="Islam" /> | |||
], 57.5% of Swiss voters and 19 ½ cantons approved the popular initiative "]" (without retroactive effect on the four minarets already built in ]). She congratulated the Swiss people on the overwhelming approval of the ban and denounced the ruling elite for its contempt of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=2854 |title=Swiss initiative : overwhelming majority against the building of minarets ! |publisher=] |date=29 November 2009 |accessdate=18 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203112328/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=2854 |archivedate=3 December 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=2878 |title=The ruling elite panics |publisher=] |date=30 November 2009 |accessdate=18 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824031725/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=2878 |archivedate=24 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1231854/Voters-ready-ban-minarets-Switzerland-exit-polls-show.html|title=Fury over Swiss ban on new minarets on mosques|work=Daily Mail |location=UK|date=2 December 2009|accessdate=18 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4946616,00.html|title=European politicians react to Swiss minaret ban|publisher=]|date=30 November 2009|accessdate=1 March 2011}}</ref> | |||
In February 2010, the fast food chain ] announced that eight of its franchises would offer exclusively ] meals. This decision immediately triggered a controversy among the French political class from the Socialist Party, the UMP (] MP) and the FN.<ref name="autogenerated29">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1252024/French-fast-food-chains-decision-halal-sparks-criticism-discriminating-non-Muslims.html|title=French fast food chain's decision to go halal sparks criticism for discriminating against non-Muslims|work=Daily Mail |location=UK|date=18 February 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010}}</ref> The controversy was particularly sharp in ] (]): the socialist ] René Vandierendonck even threatened a lawsuit and she wrote two official statements about the matter.<ref name="autogenerated29" /><ref name="autogenerated30">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?s=Quick+Roubaix|title=Marine Le Pen's official statements about the Roubaix Quick|publisher=]|date=February 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Denouncing an "accelerated policy of '']''" and a "breach of the constitutional principle of secularism", she claimed that Quick had been owned by the French state since October 2006 and that the ''UMP state'' is the owner of Quick through the ] (''Qualium Investissement'' subsidiary), which holds 99.63% of its capital.<ref name="autogenerated29" /><ref name="autogenerated30" /> | |||
Interviewed by ] in June 2011, she said that unlike the leader of the ] ], she is "not waging war against Islam" and "is fighting the ]". Emphasizing her divergence with the Dutch ], she claimed: "That's the difference between Geert Wilders and me. He reads the ] literally: you can’t interpret the Qur’an – or indeed the Bible – literally. I resist ] who want to impose their will and law on France. ] Law is not compatible with our principles, our values or democracy."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/le-pen-says-she%E2%80%99s-no-wilders|title=Le Pen says she's no Wilders|publisher=]|date=1 June 2011|accessdate=6 June 2011}}</ref> | |||
===Social issues=== | |||
Marine Le Pen supports keeping abortion legal, and opposes efforts to abolish public subsidies for abortion. However, she believes that ] is a serious moral issue that is too often regarded as trivial by French culture. | |||
Le Pen opposes the repeal of the 1975 ] (''Loi Veil'') which framed abortion in a restrictive legislative provision. She claims that an unfavorable socio-economic background is a determining factor for the majority of women who have undergone an abortion. Consequently, she advocates a strongly pro-family policy more conducive to the nurturing and raising of children. Favourable to a policy aimed at increasing the birth rate, she explains her views on abortion in her autobiography ''À contre flots''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=116877|title=Marine Le Pen's statement about abortion in ''À contre flots'' (Chapter ten : single mother, p.191-p.194, 2006)|work=Nations Presse Info|date=25 November 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
She is strictly opposed to any softening of the law against ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=106311 |title=Clarification about Marine Le Pen's statements (Lie n°2 about euthanasia) |work=Nations Presse Info |author=] |date=9 July 2010 |accessdate=26 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727074050/http://www.nationspresse.info/?p=106311 |archivedate=27 July 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> | |||
She supported a ] on whether to reinstate ], which was abolished in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lejdd.fr/Election-presidentielle-2012/Actualite/Des-Paroles-et-des-actes-Marine-Le-Pen-invitee-de-David-Pujadas-334831/|title=Marine Le Pen opens the new programme of France 2 (sequence "pure politics" with Fabien Namias)|work=]|date=23 June 2011|accessdate=15 September 2011|language=fr}}</ref> The electorate would have the choice between restoring the death penalty and introducing a ] without parole. Currently, ] are eligible for parole after serving 18 to 22 years, except in a small number of cases.<ref>Articles 132–23, 221–3 and 221–4 of the , and article 720–4 of the French code of criminal procedure; currently ] and ] are the only two French lifers sentenced to spend at least thirty years behind bars.</ref> She rescinded the party's traditional support for the death penalty with her 2017 campaign launch, instead announcing support for imprisonment "in perpetuity" for the "worst crimes" in February 2017.<ref>{{cite news|author=Nicholas Vinocur|title=Marine Le Pen’s plan to make France great again|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pens-plan-to-make-france-great-again/|publisher=Politico Europe|date=4 February 2017|accessdate=7 February 2017}}</ref> | |||
===National politics and overseas=== | |||
On the 70th anniversary of the ], Marine Le Pen held a press conference at the FN's headquarters. Drawing a parallel with the ] in June 1940, she denounced the weakening of the nation state, German domination within the EU and subservience to ]. Her goal was to "become the personification of national ambition and to return to France a spirit of greatness and an awareness of its place in history".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/videos/securite-souverainete-les-artisans-de-la-debacle-n%E2%80%99ont-pas-a-feter-le-18-juin/|title=Security, sovereignty : the architects of the collapse do not have to celebrate the Appeal of June 18|publisher=Front National|date=18 June 2010|accessdate=23 December 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
She remains committed to France's territorial sovereignty, including the ]. During a debate on ''Radio Cité Genève'' with Éric Bertinat, an SVP member of the ], she vigorously opposed his proposal that the French departments of ] and ] be incorporated into Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5838 |title=Marine Le Pen on ''Radio Cité Genève'': debate with Éric Bertinat (Swiss People's Party), member of the Grand Council of Geneva |publisher=] |date=21 September 2010 |accessdate=23 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927130946/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5838 |archivedate=27 September 2011 }}</ref> | |||
During her opening speech, she reminded that France is present in three oceans and possesses the second-largest ] in the world, covering 11 million km<sup>2</sup><ref name="speechtours" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6109 |title=Marine Le Pen on ACI TV (first West Indian TV in France) |publisher=] |date=30 November 2010 |accessdate=23 December 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824235317/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6109 |archivedate=24 August 2011 }}</ref> During her opening speech, she also emphasized the importance of the French language and ]. She stated, "our national language is spreading through the five ]s, privilege that it shares only with English" and that "the Francophonie has to vibrate in the lands of Asia, Americas, Europe and Africa again".<ref name="speechtours" /> | |||
In April 2011, she wrote a letter to all the ] of France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marianne2.fr/Exclusif-comment-Marine-Le-Pen-drague-les-prefets_a205257.html |title=Exclusive : how Marine Le Pen chats up the prefects |work=] |date=19 April 2011 |accessdate=21 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423032139/http://www.marianne2.fr:80/Exclusif-comment-Marine-Le-Pen-drague-les-prefets_a205257.html |archivedate=23 April 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> She denounced "the weakening of the state", "the discouragement of its personnels" and "the ineffectiveness of its governance". She claimed that the history of France shows us that as soon as there is a gap of the state, the local baronies reconstruct. She proposed a politic of re-establishment of the state which will lean on the high-ranking and devoted civil servants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint2.com/sons/pdf/fn2.pdf |title=Marine Le Pen's letter to the prefects |work=Le Point |language=French |date=April 2011 |accessdate=21 April 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926195418/http://www.lepoint2.com/sons/pdf/fn2.pdf |archivedate=26 September 2011 }}</ref> | |||
====Mayotte==== | |||
In a ] on becoming an ] held on 29 March 2009, 95.22% of the Mahoran voters approved the change of status. An ] from 2003, ] became France's 101st department on 31 March 2011. A third of the population of Mayotte are illegal migrants, mostly from the ] of the ] which make up the independent ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20090329-mayotte-set-become-french-overseas-department--0|title=Mayotte votes for full French integration|publisher=]|date=30 March 2009|accessdate=11 April 2011}}</ref> In her view, the accession of Mayotte to an overseas department will create a new in-draught for illegal immigration, which constitutes a threat for the stability of the island. She claims that the departmental status of the island requires the relinquishment of the '']'' wished in 2005 by ], then ] and the implementation of the 'French first' policy in the granting of welfare aids.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6732 |title=Mayotte, a new Lampedusa ? |publisher=] |date=31 March 2011 |accessdate=11 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824012607/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6732 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
====New Caledonia==== | |||
Reasserting her unshakeable attachment to French Caledonia, she stated that "] is in France and must stay there". In her view, "the creation of a citizenship and an acknowledgment of a '] identity' organize a true dismemberment of the sovereignty and a breach of the unity of the French republic". In June 2010, she claimed that "the official acknowledgment of the ] of the separatists of ] as emblem of New Caledonia would constitute an affront to France and would show the true will of the UMP government to get rid of this French territory".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5340 |title=New Caledonia, this is France ! |publisher=] |date=28 June 2010 |accessdate=8 June 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824112209/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=5340 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> She stated that "the only flag of New Caledonia, a French territory, is the French flag in accordance with the article 2 of the French constitution". In February 2011, she again claimed that "the controversial solution of the two flags, contrary to the ], which was supported by the Prime Minister ], is an additional proof of the will of the government and Nicolas Sarkozy to want to get rid of a part of France".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6469|title=The Caledonian flag must be the one of France !|publisher=]|date=17 February 2011|accessdate=8 June 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref> | |||
===International politics=== | |||
====Europe==== | |||
She had described the Front National as a "patriotic" party with more in common with the ] (UKIP) and its "opposition to the totalitarian character of the EU and its desire to remove people's sovereignty" than with the ] (BNP).<ref name="The Daily Telegraph" /> | |||
On 8 June 2011, Marine Le Pen and the leader of the ] ] held in the ] a joint press conference about "globalization, migration and economic threats in the EU".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/agenda/2011-06-08|title=Press conferences on 8 June 2011 (Events)|publisher=]|date=8 June 2011|accessdate=9 June 2011}}</ref> Both are aiming at strengthening the ties between their two respective movements and also with other eurosceptic parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7055 |title=Marine Le Pen meets the leader of the Freedom Party of Austria |publisher=Front National |date=9 June 2011 |accessdate=9 June 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611103025/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7055 |archivedate=11 June 2011}}</ref> | |||
In a statement written on 20 July 2011, she wrote that "If Belgium is going to split, if ] pronounces its independence, which seems more and more credible a possibility, the French republic would do well to welcome ] to its heart." She said that "on this eve of the Belgian ], it is nevertheless the responsibility of France and the French to extend a hand to the ]", and that "the historic and fraternal links that unite our two people are too strong for France to abandon the Walloons". She suggested any such plan to become part of France should be agreed by a referendum in both countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7169 |title=France should extend a hand to Wallonia |publisher=] |date=20 July 2011 |accessdate=21 July 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825045855/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7169 |archivedate=25 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jul/21/belgium-walloons-french-front-national|title=Let Belgium's Walloons join France, Front National leader suggests|work=The Guardian |location=UK|author=Kim Willsher|date=21 July 2011|accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/8653973/Marine-Le-Pen-suggests-half-of-Belgium-should-become-part-of-France.html|title=Marine Le Pen suggests half of Belgium should become part of France|work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=22 July 2011|accessdate=22 July 2011}}</ref> | |||
In a statement about the ], she reiterated her condolences to the Norwegian people and recalled her determination to fight mercilessly against all forms of violence and barbarity. In reply to a MRAP's statement, she claimed that "the Norwegian slaughter was the work of a lone lunatic who must be ruthlessly punished".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7181 |title=Marine Le Pen's statement about the 2011 Norway attacks |work=Front National |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=25 July 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824100217/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7181 |archivedate=24 August 2011}}</ref> | |||
In October 2011, after her resignation from the ] (AENM), she joined the ] (EAF), a ] sovereigntist platform created in late 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2012/01/marine-le-pen-en-autriche/|title=Marine Le Pen in Austria|publisher=Front National|date=27 January 2011|accessdate=9 February 2012|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
=====Russia and Ukraine===== | |||
She advocates forging a privileged partnership with ]. She has said that a French-Russian partnership is necessitated by "obvious civilization and geostrategic factors" as well as France's "energy security interests". In her view, "France's interests are in Europe, but in Great Europe, especially including its partnership with Russia".<ref name="Russia" /> Interviewed by ''Kommersant'', she said "the process of demonization of Russia is taking place at the level of the EU leadership and at the wishes of the US, which is trying to create a unipolar world." Interviewed about democracy in Russia and ], she replied: "We also do not have an ideal democracy in France and, therefore, do not have the right to give Russia lessons in democracy. But I openly admit that, to some extent, I admire Vladimir Putin. He makes mistakes, but who doesn’t? The situation in Russia is complicated, and one cannot expect all the problems stemming from the collapse of the ] to be quickly resolved – they require time. I think that Vladimir Putin has principles and a vision of the future that is necessary to ensure Russia's prosperity, which it deserves.<ref name="Kommersant" /><ref name="RT" /> | |||
The National Front considers that ] has been subjugated by the ], through the ]. The National Front denounces anti-Russian sentiment in Eastern Europe and the submission of Western Europe to ]'s interests in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2014/12/lukraine-de-louest-desormais-ouvertement-vassalisee-par-washington/|title=L’Ukraine de l’Ouest désormais " ouvertement " vassalisée par Washington|publisher=Front National}}</ref> Marine Le Pen is very critical against the threats of sanctions directed by the international community against ]: "European countries should seek a solution through diplomacy rather than making threats that could lead to an escalation." She argues that the United States are leading a new ] against Russia. She sees no other solution for peace in Ukraine than to organize a kind of federation that would allow each region to have a large degree of autonomy.<ref>], ''UKRAINE. De Mélenchon à Le Pen, qu'en disent les politiques français ?'' </ref> She thinks Ukraine should be sovereign and free as any other nations.<ref name="ukrinform.ua" /> According to Russian media, Le Pen has promised to recognize the ] (from Ukraine) in case she is elected President of France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lenta.ru/news/2016/09/26/crimea/|title=Ле Пен пообещала признать Крым российским в случае избрания президентом|publisher=}}</ref> On 3 January 2017 she told ] "I do not believe that there was an illegal annexation: there was ], the citizens of Crimea wanted to join Russia."<ref>, ] (3 January 2017)</ref> | |||
====North Africa, Middle East and Asia==== | |||
In October 2011, she denounced a "violence wave" in Tunisia and "numerous deadly attacks" perpetrated against the ] minority in ]. She claimed that "the revolutions in Maghreb, which have been led in the name of freedom and human rights, turned into a democratic fiasco and the eruption of violent Islamist movements". In her view, "these violent attacks illustrate the extreme fragility of the democratic processes in countries faced with the growing influence of radical Islamist movements and the threats that hang over individual freedom". She also "expressed deepest concern faced with the possibility of seeing to surge Islamist dictatorships on Europe's doorstep".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7574 |title=After the Arab spring, the democratic winter ? |publisher=] |date=10 October 2010 |accessdate=19 October 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014043102/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=7574 |archivedate=14 October 2011}}</ref> | |||
About the ], she claimed that the confrontations pertained to a civil war in which France's interest was not to interfere. She regretted the haste of the French diplomacy which had "prematurely recognized the ] which spoke in the name of the ]n rebels". She claimed that the transfer of the US command towards NATO increased the submissiveness of the ]. Denouncing "the US supremacy" in the military intervention, she "refused the idea that France slavishly followed the USA in this new stalemate".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6725 |title=Libya : the National Front's reservations are confirmed |publisher=] |date=30 March 2011 |accessdate=1 April 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817174734/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6725 |archivedate=17 August 2011}}</ref> One month after the launching of hostilities, she claimed that "France mired into the 'vote-catching war' of Sarkozy". She noticed that "the ] had largely been overstepped", that "the war dragged on" and that "the deaths of civilians increased". Denouncing the planned dispatch of British, French and Italian military advisers, she lamented the decision of French authorities to compromise further France in "a new Afghanistan".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6998 |title=Marine Le Pen expresses herself about Libya |publisher=] |date=27 May 2011 |accessdate=27 May 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605215003/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6998 |archivedate=5 June 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6828|archive-url=http://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160228072135/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6828|dead-url=yes|archive-date=28 February 2016|title=Dispatch of military advisers to Libya : Nicolas Sarkozy sinks France into this new Afghanistan !|publisher=]|date=21 April 2011|accessdate=21 April 2011|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Interviewed by the ]i ] '']'' about the fact that some of her European senior colleagues had formed alliances with, and visited, some Israeli settlers and groups, Marine Le Pen said : "The shared concern about radical Islam explains the relationship ... but it is possible that behind it is also the need of the visitors from Europe to change their image in their countries ... As far as their partners in Israel are concerned, I myself don't understand the idea of continuing to develop the ]. I consider it a political mistake and would like to make it clear in this context that we must have the right to criticize the policy of the State of Israel – just as we are allowed to criticize any sovereign country – without it being considered ]. After all, the National Front has always been ] and always defended Israel's right to exist". She has opposed the immigration of French Jews to Israel in response to radical Islam, explaining: "The Jews of France are Frenchmen, they're at home here, and they must stay here and not emigrate. The country is obligated to provide solutions to the development of radical Islam in the problematic regions".<ref name="Haaretz" /> | |||
In a statement about the ], she welcomed his "salutary elimination" and said that his execution was "a right and appropriate answer to the death of the victims in the ]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6887 |title=Death of a terrorist |publisher=] |date=2 May 2011 |accessdate=3 May 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811175654/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6887 |archivedate=11 August 2011 }}</ref> | |||
She regularly states that France should promptly withdraw its ] from ].<ref name="Marianne" /> | |||
====Africa==== | |||
Marine Le Pen claims that "whereas Africa struggles to find the ways of growth and thus future prosperity, whereas ] or disease decimate millions of innocent souls, whereas skillfully maintained conflicts discourage the most dynamic and talented African elites, French-African relations are marred by an unforgivable misdemeanour: corruption". She advocates to "have a dialogue with Africa in line with our common history and our mutual interests" and "implement a real partnership which enables a harmonious development of the African continent". In her view, "the only reasonable way lies in a close relationship between the European and African continents, because the development of the African continent will break the migratory stranglehold which threats us and enable the two continents to live their own identities in peace, security and prosperity".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/09/contre-la-corruption-un-nouveau-partenariat-pour-l%E2%80%99afrique/ |title=Contre la corruption, un nouveau partenariat pour l’Afrique |trans_title=Against corruption, a new partnership for Africa |language=French |work=Frontnational.com |publisher=Front National |date=12 September 2011 |accessdate=19 September 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/64kTOWL7y?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frontnational.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fcontre-la-corruption-un-nouveau-partenariat-pour-l%25E2%2580%2599afrique%2F |archivedate=17 January 2012 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref> | |||
She stated that only diplomacy, ] and consultation were able to settle the tangle of the ], which had begun in the aftermath of the run-off of the ], when both ] and ] have claimed victory and taken the presidential ].<ref name="côtedivoire1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/PREMIERE-LIGNE_p6.gif|title=Ivorian crisis: exclusive interview with Marine Le Pen (page 6)|work=Première Ligne'' (''Nations Presse Info)|author='''Amadou Diouf'''|date=January–February 2011|accessdate=20 March 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="côtedivoire2">{{cite news|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/PREMIERE-LIGNE_p7.gif|title=Ivorian crisis: exclusive interview with Marine Le Pen (page 7)|work=Première Ligne'' (''Nations Presse Info)|author=Amadou Diouf|date=January–February 2011|accessdate=20 March 2011|language=fr}}</ref><ref name="EUCI">{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6473 |title=Marine Le Pen's questions to the European Commission |publisher=] |date=18 February 2011 |accessdate=20 March 2011 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430093346/http://www.frontnational.com/?p=6473 |archivedate=30 April 2011}}</ref> | |||
Interviewed in January 2011 by the monthly panafrican magazine ''Première Ligne'', she denounced the interference of France and the ] in internal politics of ] and criticized Nicolas Sarkozy's support for Alassane Ouattara as a "political mistake". Denouncing a "double standards diplomacy", she said that the ] (ECOWAS) is not legitimate to decide a military intervention in Côte d'Ivoire since it had not intervened in ] after the ] led by ] on 18 February 2010.<ref name="côtedivoire1" /><ref name="côtedivoire2" /> | |||
In parliamentary questions addressed to the European Commission,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2011-001915+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN|title=Subject : EU sanctions against Côte d'Ivoire (parliamentary questions)|publisher=]|date=8 March 2011|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref> she denounced the violation of the article 5 of the fourth complementary agreement to ], which had planned the completion of disarmament and reunification of Côte d'Ivoire before the organization of elections.<ref name="EUCI" /> | |||
On 12 September 2011, she strongly criticised that ]n president ] be received by Nicolas Sarkozy. She said "welcoming Kagame whose regime is accused in a United Nations report of ']' against ] in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sarkozy once more demonstrated his contempt for law and justice". She also claimed, that "accepting to receive Kagame in Paris, he sullied the reputation of the French army outrageously accused by Kigali of having taken part in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/2011/09/kagame-en-france-un-double-scandale/ |title=Kagame en France : un double scandale ! |trans_title=Kagame in France: a double scandal! |language=French |work=Frontnational.com |publisher=Front National |date=12 September 2011 |accessdate=19 September 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/64kXyUtCZ?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.frontnational.com%2F2011%2F09%2Fkagame-en-france-un-double-scandale%2F |archivedate=17 January 2012 |deadurl=no |df=dmy }}</ref> | |||
==Elections (1993–2012)== | |||
==Elections contested== | |||
{{Update section|date=August 2023}} | |||
===European elections=== | ===European elections=== | ||
In the ], Le Pen led the FN list in the ] constituency. The list polled 8.58% (234,893 votes), winning one of fourteen available seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/eur2004/007/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121130351/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/eur2004/007/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 November 2006 |title=2004 European election results: Île-de-France |publisher=Minister of the Interior |access-date=28 October 2010 |language=fr }}</ref> | |||
In the ], Le Pen led the FN list in the ] constituency. The party polled 10.18% (253,009 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/01.html|title=2009 European election results: North-West France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 October 2010|language=fr|archive-date=31 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831043859/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the highest FN vote share of French constituencies, and won one of the ten seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/accueil-resultats/downloadFile/attachedFile_3/RPE-24-09-09.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064817/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/accueil-resultats/downloadFile/attachedFile_3/RPE-24-09-09.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2011|title=France: list of the 72 MEPs by constituency (2009–2014)|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> The FN's constituency list received its highest regional result in ] (12.57%, 63,624 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/022.html|title=2009 European election results: Picardy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=31 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731144812/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/022.html|url-status=live}}</ref> its highest departmental result in ] (13.40%, 19,125 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/002/002.html|title=2009 European election results: Aisne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231858/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Europeennes/elecresult__europeennes_2009/(path)/europeennes_2009//01/022/002/002.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and its highest municipal results in Pas-de-Calais: Hénin-Beaumont (27.92%, 1,799 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062427.html|title=2009 European election results: Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231835/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Europeennes/elecresult__europeennes_2009/(path)/europeennes_2009//01/031/062/062427.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ] (26.57%),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062249.html|title=2009 European election results: Courcelles-lès-Lens|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> ] (24.72%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062624.html|title=2009 European election results: Noyelles-Godault|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=19 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231913/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Europeennes/elecresult__europeennes_2009/(path)/europeennes_2009//01/031/062/062624.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====North-West France in 2009==== | |||
{{Main|European Parliament election, 2009 (France)}} | |||
In the 2009 election, Marine Le Pen led the FN list in the North-West France's constituency. | |||
Attaining the best result among the seven FN European lists, her list polled 10.18% (253,009 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/01.html|title=2009 European election results: North-West France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 October 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and only won one of the ten seats of MEP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/accueil-resultats/downloadFile/attachedFile_3/RPE-24-09-09.pdf|title=France: list of the 72 MEPs by constituency (2009–2014)|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Her list achieved its highest regional result in Picardy (12.57%, 63,624 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/022.html|title=2009 European election results: Picardy|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> its highest departmental result in Aisne (13.40%, 19,125 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/002/002.html|title=2009 European election results: Aisne|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> its highest municipal results in Pas-de-Calais: Hénin-Beaumont (27.92%, 1,799 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062427.html|title=2009 European election results: Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior |accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> ] (26.57%),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062249.html|title=2009 European election results: Courcelles-lès-Lens|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> ] (24.72%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062624.html|title=2009 European election results: Noyelles-Godault|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Her list also polled over 10% in Nord-Pas-de-Calais (10.90%, 115,350 votes)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/031.html|title=2009 European election results: Nord-Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior |accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and in four other departments : Pas-de-Calais (12.88%, 52,671 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/031/062/062.html|title=2009 European election results: Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Oise (12.46%, 24,997 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/060/060.html|title=2009 European election results: Oise|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> ] (11.99%, 19,502 votes),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/022/080/080.html|title=2009 European election results: Somme|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010 |language=fr}}</ref> ] (10.06%, 15,793 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/ER2009/01/023/027/027.html|title=2009 European election results: Eure|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=19 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
====Île-de-France in 2004==== | |||
{{Main|European Parliament election, 2004 (France)}} | |||
In the 2004 election, she led the FN list in the Île-de-France's constituency. Her list polled 8.58% (234,893 votes) and only won one of the fourteen seats of MEP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/eur2004/007/index.html|title=2004 European election results: Île-de-France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=28 October 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
===Parliamentary elections=== | ===Parliamentary elections=== | ||
====Paris in 1993==== | ====Paris in 1993==== | ||
Le Pen first stood for parliament in the ], in ] (]). She finished third with 11.10% (3,963 votes), and ] (]) was re-elected as the MP with 63.14% (22,545 votes) in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.figaro.net/cgi/histo_req1?page=15%26offs=15%26action=L1993%26re=%26dep=75%26Valider=Lancez+la+recherche%26version=figaro |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20081219010058/http://elections.figaro.net/cgi/histo_req1?page=15%26offs=15%26action=L1993%26re=%26dep=75%26Valider=Lancez+la+recherche%26version=figaro |archive-date=19 December 2008 |url-status=dead |title=1993 French legislative election results: Paris' 16th constituency|work=Le Figaro |language=fr|access-date=5 November 2010}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|French legislative election, 1993}} | |||
At the age of 24, she was for the first time a parliamentary candidate in the ] (]). Whereas ] was re-elected as MP with 63.14% (22,545 votes) in the first round, she arrived in third position with 11.10% (3,963 votes) behind the socialist candidate (11.85%, 4,233 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/?url=http://elections.figaro.net/cgi/histo_req1?page=15%26offs=15%26action=L1993%26re=%26dep=75%26Valider=Lancez+la+recherche%26version=figaro&title=R%C3%A9sultats%20%C3%A9lections%20l%C3%A9gislatives%20de%201993%20-%2016%C3%A8me%20circonscription%20de%20Paris%C2%A0%C2%BB|title=1993 French legislative election results: Paris' 16th constituency|work=Le Figaro |language=French|accessdate=5 November 2010}}</ref> | |||
====Lens in 2002==== | ====Lens in 2002==== | ||
She stood in the ] in ], ], an economically deprived socialist stronghold. Le Pen polled 24.24% (10,228 votes) in the first round, qualifying for the run-off against socialist Jean-Claude Bois, in which Le Pen received 32.30% (12,266 votes); Bois was re-elected as the MP with 67.70% (27,510 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2002/062/circons13.html|title=2002 French legislative election results: Pas-de-Calais' 13th constituency|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=5 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=29 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929174932/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2002/062/circons13.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|French legislative election, 2002}} | |||
In the 2002 election, she was a candidate at ] in the ]. There are many workers and unemployed people in this economically deprived constituency, one of the socialist strongholds in northern France. | |||
She polled 24.24% (10,228 votes) in the first round and achieved 32.30% (12,266 votes) in the run-off whereas her socialist challenger Jean-Claude Bois polled 38.20% (16,120 votes) in the first round and was re-elected as MP with 67.70% (27,510 votes) in the run-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2002/062/circons13.html|title=2002 French legislative election results: Pas-de-Calais' 13th constituency|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=5 November 2010 |language=fr}}</ref> | |||
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2007==== | ====Hénin-Beaumont in 2007==== | ||
], 25 February 2007]] | |||
{{Main|French legislative election, 2007}} | |||
In the ], Le Pen and her substitute ]{{clarify|date=May 2017}} stood for the FN in the ], Hénin-Beaumont, a former coal mining area with high unemployment. Le Pen expressed the view that due to unemployment, offshoring and insecurity, the constituency symbolised the major problems of France.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boursier.com/vals/all/marine-le-pen-repart-en-conquete-dans-le-pas-de-calais-feed-25326.htm|title=Marine Le Pen: Pas-de-Calais in her sights|agency=]|publisher=boursier.com|date=6 June 2007|access-date=6 November 2010|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226135542/http://www.boursier.com/vals/all/marine-le-pen-repart-en-conquete-dans-le-pas-de-calais-feed-25326.htm|archive-date=26 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Le Pen's campaign committee was led by Daniel Janssens, who had previously served for 24 years as the socialist deputy mayor of ]. | |||
In the 2007 election, Marine Le Pen and her substitute Steeve Briois, who emphasise the importance of local politics, represented the FN at Hénin-Beaumont in the ]. | |||
] on 25 February 2007]] | |||
Located in the former coal mining area, this constituency is characterized by a higher level of unemployment than the national average, a significant number of citizens in recipient of welfare such as the ] (RMI) and the closure of important factories like Metaleurop North with the loss of 870 jobs. A few months previously, Steeve Briois had asked her to contest this constituency, one of the socialist strongholds in northern France. Explaining the choice of this area, she declared that the constituency was symbolic, with unemployment, offshoring and insecurity representing the major problems of France.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boursier.com/vals/all/marine-le-pen-repart-en-conquete-dans-le-pas-de-calais-feed-25326.htm|title=Marine Le Pen : Pas-de-Calais in her sights|agency=] |publisher=boursier.com|date=6 June 2007|accessdate=6 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Asserting his disappointment with the incumbent socialist MP ], Daniel Janssens, who had been a socialist activist for thirty years and a first deputy mayor of ] for 24 years, led her support committee during the electoral campaign. | |||
Among the fourteen candidates running in the first round, she came second with 24.47% (10,593 votes) whereas Facon came top with 28.24% (12,221 votes).<ref name="HB2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/circons14.html|title=2007 French legislative election results: Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=6 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> In order to take part in the run-off, a parliamentary candidate must cross the minimal threshold of 12.50% of the registered voters. Throughout France, she thus was the only FN candidate able to compete in a run-off.<ref name="CEVIPOF">{{cite web|url=http://www.cevipof.com/bpf/analyses/Fourquet_HeninBeaumont.pdf|title=Hénin-Beaumont, Marine Le Pen's Vitrolles ?|publisher=CEVIPOF|accessdate=6 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Between the first round and the run-off, she received the support of historic figures of ] like Alain Griotteray, Michel Caldagués and the '']'' MEP ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yvesdaoudal.hautetfort.com/archive/2007/06/13/deux-gaullistes-historiques-soutiennent-marine.html|title=Marine Le Pen: support from two Gaullist stalwarts|publisher=Yves Daoudal's website|date=13 June 2007|accessdate=6 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Le Pen finished second of fourteen candidates in the first round with 24.47% (10,593 votes), behind incumbent Socialist MP ] with 28.24% (12,221 votes).<ref name="HB2007">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/circons14.html|title=2007 French legislative election results: Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=6 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=12 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312101643/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/circons14.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Le Pen was the only FN candidate in France to qualify for the run-off.<ref name="CEVIPOF">{{cite web|url=http://www.cevipof.com/bpf/analyses/Fourquet_HeninBeaumont.pdf|title=Hénin-Beaumont, Marine Le Pen's Vitrolles ?|publisher=CEVIPOF|access-date=6 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=8 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708133322/http://www.cevipof.com/bpf/analyses/Fourquet_HeninBeaumont.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> After the first round, Le Pen was endorsed by ] politicians Alain Griotteray and ] and the '']'' MEP ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yvesdaoudal.hautetfort.com/archive/2007/06/13/deux-gaullistes-historiques-soutiennent-marine.html|title=Marine Le Pen: support from two Gaullist stalwarts|publisher=Yves Daoudal's website|date=13 June 2007|access-date=6 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=5 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505191748/http://yvesdaoudal.hautetfort.com/archive/2007/06/13/deux-gaullistes-historiques-soutiennent-marine.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the run-off, Le Pen received 41.65% (17,107 votes), and Facon was re-elected as the MP with 58.35% (23,965 votes).<ref name="HB2007" /> Her strongest results came in Courcelles-lès-Lens (48.71%),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/06224914.html|title=2007 French legislative election results: Courcelles-lès-Lens|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=7 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Noyelles-Godault (47.85%),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/06262414.html|title=2007 French legislative election results: Noyelles-Godault|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=7 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and Hénin-Beaumont (44.54%, 4,729 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/06242714.html|title=2007 French legislative election results: Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=7 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=10 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710051429/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/LG2007/062/06242714.html|url-status=live}}</ref> According to political analysts, Le Pen's strong showing in the constituency was a result of economic and social issues like de-industrialization, unemployment and a feeling of abandonment, rather than immigration or security.<ref name="CEVIPOF" /> | |||
According to political analysts, she confirmed her excellent showing in this economically deprived area achieving a very high percentage of votes thanks to economic and social matters like deindustrialization, unemployment and a feeling of abandonment rather than issues such as immigration and insecurity.<ref name="CEVIPOF" /> | |||
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2012==== | ====Hénin-Beaumont in 2012==== | ||
In the ], Le Pen, now leader of the FN, stood in ], which now contained Henin-Beaumont following redistricting, where she had got her best results in the presidential election.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.politiquemania.com/election-presidentielle-2012-tour1-circonscriptions.html |title=Election présidentielle 2012 – Résultats du 1er tour par circonscription |publisher=Politiquemania |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924075954/http://www.politiquemania.com/election-presidentielle-2012-tour1-circonscriptions.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Her opponents were ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nordeclair.fr/Actualite/2012/05/11/le-ps-coince-entre-deux-fronts.shtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213153418/http://www.nordeclair.fr/Actualite/2012/05/11/le-ps-coince-entre-deux-fronts.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2013 |title=Le PS coincĂŠ entre deux Fronts ? – RĂŠgion – Nord Eclair |publisher=Nordeclair.fr |access-date=14 November 2015 }}</ref> She finished first in the first round on 10 June 2012, with 42.36% (22,280 votes),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/LG2012/062/06211.html |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2012 / Législatives / Les résultats / Elections – Ministère de l'Intérieur |language=fr |publisher=Elections.interieur.gouv.fr |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615161523/http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/LG2012/062/06211.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and was defeated in the second round by Philippe Kemel. | |||
{{Main|French legislative election, 2012}} | |||
Marine Le Pen represented as the FN leader at ], where the new constitution regrouped Henin-Beaumont, had her best score in the presidential election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politiquemania.com/election-presidentielle-2012-tour1-circonscriptions.html |title=Election présidentielle 2012 – Résultats du 1er tour par circonscription |publisher=Politiquemania |date= |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> She would be opposed to ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nordeclair.fr/Actualite/2012/05/11/le-ps-coince-entre-deux-fronts.shtml |title=Le PS coincĂŠ entre deux Fronts ? - RĂŠgion – Nord Eclair |publisher=Nordeclair.fr |date= |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> On the first round on 10 June 2012, she finished first with 42,36% (22 280 votes).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/LG2012/062/06211.html |title=Résultats des élections législatives 2012 / Législatives / Les résultats / Elections – Ministère de l'Intérieur |language=fr |publisher=Elections.interieur.gouv.fr |date= |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> She was defeated in the second round by Philippe Kemel of the Socialist Party. | |||
In 2014, the Criminal Court of Bethune found Marine Le Pen guilty of ], for producing and distributing flyers during the 2012 election purporting to be from electoral opponent ], calling for 'Arab' votes. She was ordered to pay a {{euro|link=no}}10,000 fine.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Reuters Editorial |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-lepen-idUSBREA321BV20140403 |title=France's Le Pen fined 10,000 euros over 'Arab' vote flyer |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107024306/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-lepen-idUSBREA321BV20140403 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/faux-tract-de-jean-luc-melenchon-10-000-euros-d-amende-pour-marine-le-pen_1505798.html |title=Faux tract de Jean-Luc Mélenchon: 10 000 euros d'amende pour Marine Le Pen – L'Express |work=L'Express |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030735/http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/faux-tract-de-jean-luc-melenchon-10-000-euros-d-amende-pour-marine-le-pen_1505798.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr/2014/04/03/faux-tract-de-melenchon-le-pen-condamnee-10000-euros-d-amende-452285.html |title=Faux tract de Mélenchon: Le Pen condamnée à 10000 euros d'amende – France 3 Nord Pas-de-Calais |language=fr |publisher=Nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr |access-date=14 November 2015 |archive-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182436/http://nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr/2014/04/03/faux-tract-de-melenchon-le-pen-condamnee-10000-euros-d-amende-452285.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=====Convicted for fraud===== | |||
In 2014, the Criminal Court of Bethune found Marine Le Pen guilty of fraud and sentenced her a 10,000 Euro fine, for producing and distributing flyers purporting to be from electoral opponent ] in the 2012 election. In a statement, her counsel Wallerand de Saint-Just announced that she was appealing the conviction.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reuters Editorial |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/03/us-france-lepen-idUSBREA321BV20140403 |title=France's Le Pen fined 10,000 euros over 'Arab' vote flyer |publisher=Reuters |date=3 April 2014 |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/politique/faux-tract-de-jean-luc-melenchon-10-000-euros-d-amende-pour-marine-le-pen_1505798.html |title=Faux tract de Jean-Luc Mélenchon: 10 000 euros d'amende pour Marine Le Pen – L'Express |publisher=Lexpress.fr |date=3 April 2014 |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr/2014/04/03/faux-tract-de-melenchon-le-pen-condamnee-10000-euros-d-amende-452285.html |title=Faux tract de Mélenchon : Le Pen condamnée à 10000 euros d'amende – France 3 Nord Pas-de-Calais |language=fr |publisher=Nord-pas-de-calais.france3.fr |date= |accessdate=14 November 2015}}</ref> | |||
=== |
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2017==== | ||
In the ], Le Pen once again stood in ]. She finished first in the first round on 11 June 2017, with 46.02% (19,997 votes), and won the seat in the second round with 58.60% (22,769 votes) over Anne Roquet of ]. | |||
==== |
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2022==== | ||
In the ], Le Pen stood for re-election in ]. She finished first in the first round on 12 June 2022, with 53.96% (21,219 votes), and won the seat again in the second round with 61.03% (22,301 votes) over ] of ]. | |||
{{Main|French regional elections, 2010}} | |||
In the 2010 elections, Marine Le Pen led the FN regional list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the departmental list in Pas-de-Calais whereas Steeve Briois figured in second position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/C2031L005.html|title=Nord-Pas-de-Calais: list of the FN candidates in 2010|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Largely spread during the electoral campaign, her regional programme included several topics about social, economic, political and cultural issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme_npdc_regionales2010.pdf |title=Nord-Pas-de-Calais in force: regional programme (2010–2014) |publisher=] |date=26 February 2010 |accessdate=14 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331232602/http://www.frontnational.com/pdf/programme_npdc_regionales2010.pdf |archivedate=31 March 2010 }}</ref> | |||
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2024==== | |||
In the first round, her list polled 18.31% (224.871 votes) and arrived in third position in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.<ref name="NPDC2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/031.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Nord-Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 19.81% (96,556 votes) overtaking the one of the UMP (15.91%, 77,550 votes)<ref name="PDC2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> and largely came top in Hénin-Beaumont (39.08%, 2,949 votes).<ref name="HB2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062427.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Whereas Jean-Marie Le Pen's FN list attained 20.30% (296,283 votes) in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur,<ref name="PACA2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/093.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> she nationally achieved the second highest result among the FN regional lists. In Pas-de-Calais, her result was higher in percentage than the one of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the first round of the 2002 presidential election (18.41%, 135,330 votes).<ref name="PDC2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/062/3162.html |title=2002 French presidential election results: Pas-de-Calais |publisher=Minister of the Interior |accessdate=14 November 2010 |language=fr |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026005906/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr:80/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/062/3162.html |archivedate=26 October 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> In order to take part in the run-off, a regional list must cross the minimal threshold of 10% of the valid votes. | |||
Le Pen once again stood for re-election in ] in the ]. | |||
===Regional elections=== | |||
In the run-off, her list polled 22.20% (301,190 votes) and arrived in third position in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.<ref name="NPDC2010" /> Eighteen FN councillors were elected among the 113 of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais' regional council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/E2031L005.html|title=Nord-Pas-de-Calais: list of the 18 FN regional councillors (2010–2014)|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Whereas Jean-Marie Le Pen's list attained 22.87% (387,374 votes) with 21 councillors elected,<ref name="PACA2010" /> she nationally achieved the second highest result among the FN regional lists. In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 24.37% (130,720 votes) overtaking the one of the UMP (22.63%, 121,365 votes)<ref name="PDC2010" /> and achieved its highest municipal results in Hénin-Beaumont (44.23%, 3,829 votes)<ref name="HB2010" /> and Courcelles-lès-Lens (40.60%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062249.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Courcelles-lès-Lens|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=14 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Her list nationally realized the second highest departmental FN result behind Vaucluse (26.54%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/084/084.html |title=2010 French regional elections results: Vaucluse|publisher=Minister of the Interior|accessdate=20 November 2010|language=fr}}</ref> Her regional result and the one in Pas-de-Calais were higher in percentage than those of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the run-off of the 2002 presidential election (21.89%, 445,357 votes;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/031.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207112240/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr:80/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/031.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=7 December 2009 |title=2002 French presidential election results: Nord-Pas-de-Calais |publisher=Minister of the Interior |accessdate=14 November 2010 |language=fr }}</ref> 22.17%, 170,967 votes).<ref name="PDC2002" /> | |||
====Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 1998==== | |||
{{Main|French regional elections, 1998}} | |||
Thanks to her political success, she confirmed her regional presence and reinforced her internal position within the FN. As a member of the ] and a president of the regional group (Front National/Gathering for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais), she led a resolute opposition facing the left-wing regional executive managed by Daniel Percheron. | |||
In the 1998 elections, she was included in the FN list in ] and was a regional councillor for six years (1998–2004).<ref name="biography" /> | |||
====Île-de-France in 2004==== | ====Île-de-France in 2004==== | ||
Line 489: | Line 359: | ||
In the 2004 elections, she led the FN regional list in Île-de-France and the departmental list in Hauts-de-Seine. | In the 2004 elections, she led the FN regional list in Île-de-France and the departmental list in Hauts-de-Seine. | ||
Her list polled 12.26% (448,983 votes) in the first round and achieved 10.11% (395,565 votes) with fifteen councillors elected in the run-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/reg2004/011/011.html|title=2004 French regional elections results: Île-de-France|publisher=Minister of the Interior| |
Her list polled 12.26% (448,983 votes) in the first round and achieved 10.11% (395,565 votes) with fifteen councillors elected in the run-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/reg2004/011/011.html|title=2004 French regional elections results: Île-de-France|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 October 2010|language=fr|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231912/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Regionales/elecresult__regionales_2004/(path)/regionales_2004//011/011.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/reg2004/011/E2011L002.html|title=Île-de-France: list of the 15 FN regional councillors (2004–2010)|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=28 October 2010|language=fr|archive-date=13 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413231923/https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Elections/Les-resultats/Regionales/elecresult__regionales_2004/(path)/regionales_2004//011/E2011L002.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Le Pen led the regional group for five years, stepping down in February 2009 to concentrate on the European election campaign in the North-West France constituency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-politique/2009-02-10/marine-le-pen-a-quitte-la-presidence-du-groupe-fn-a-la-region-idf/917/0/315903|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209041211/http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-politique/2009-02-10/marine-le-pen-a-quitte-la-presidence-du-groupe-fn-a-la-region-idf/917/0/315903|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2011|title=Île-de-France: Marine Le Pen has left the presidency of the FN group|work=Le Point|language=fr|date=10 February 2009|access-date=28 October 2010}}</ref> A member of the standing committee, she led opposition to the left-wing regional executive managed by ]. | |||
====Nord-Pas-de-Calais in |
====Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 2010==== | ||
{{Main|French regional elections, |
{{Main|French regional elections, 2010}} | ||
In the 2010 elections, Marine Le Pen led the FN regional list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the departmental list in Pas-de-Calais.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/C2031L005.html|title=Nord-Pas-de-Calais: list of the FN candidates in 2010|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=26 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626072445/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/C2031L005.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the 1998 elections, she figured on the FN list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and was a regional councillor for six years (1998–2004).<ref name="biography" /> | |||
In the first round, her list polled 18.31% (224.871 votes) and finished in third position in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.<ref name="NPDC2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/031.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Nord-Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064756/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/031.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 19.81% (96,556 votes), ahead of the UMP (15.91%, 77,550 votes),<ref name="PDC2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Pas-de-Calais|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064555/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and won by a large margin in Hénin-Beaumont (39.08%, 2,949 votes).<ref name="HB2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062427.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Hénin-Beaumont|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214082237/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062427.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Le Pen's list achieved the second-highest result of FN regional lists in the country, behind her father Jean-Marie Le Pen's list in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which received 20.30% (296,283 votes).<ref name="PACA2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/093.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064639/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/093.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In Pas-de-Calais, she received a higher share of the vote than Jean-Marie Le Pen had received in the first round of the 2002 presidential election (18.41%, 135,330 votes).<ref name="PDC2002">{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/062/3162.html |title=2002 French presidential election results: Pas-de-Calais |publisher=Minister of the Interior |access-date=14 November 2010 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026005906/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/062/3162.html |archive-date=26 October 2010}}</ref> | |||
In the run-off, her list polled 22.20% (301,190 votes) in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, finishing in third position.<ref name="NPDC2010" /> Eighteen FN councillors were elected among the 113 of Nord-Pas-de-Calais' regional council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/E2031L005.html|title=Nord-Pas-de-Calais: list of the 18 FN regional councillors (2010–2014)|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214140033/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/E2031L005.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Le Pen's list had the second highest vote share of FN regional lists in France, behind Jean-Marie Le Pen's list which received 22.87% (387,374 votes) with 21 councillors elected.<ref name="PACA2010" /> In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 24.37% (130,720 votes), finishing ahead of the UMP (22.63%, 121,365 votes),<ref name="PDC2010" /> and achieved its highest municipal results in Hénin-Beaumont (44.23%, 3,829 votes)<ref name="HB2010" /> and Courcelles-lès-Lens (40.60%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062249.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Courcelles-lès-Lens|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=14 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=14 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214140022/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/031/062/062249.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her list achieved the second-highest departmental FN result in the country behind Vaucluse (26.54%).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/084/084.html|title=2010 French regional elections results: Vaucluse|publisher=Minister of the Interior|access-date=20 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=15 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615065013/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/RG2010/093/084/084.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her regional vote share and the vote share in Pas-de-Calais were higher than those of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the run-off of the 2002 presidential election (21.89%, 445,357 votes;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/031.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207112240/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/a_votre_service/resultats-elections/PR2002/031/031.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 7 December 2009 |title=2002 French presidential election results: Nord-Pas-de-Calais |publisher=Minister of the Interior |access-date=14 November 2010 |language=fr }}</ref> 22.17%, 170,967 votes).<ref name="PDC2002" /> | |||
Le Pen's success in these elections reinforced her internal position within the FN. As a member of the ] and a president of the regional group (Front National/Gathering for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais), she led opposition to the left-wing regional executive managed by ]. | |||
===Municipal elections=== | ===Municipal elections=== | ||
] | ] holding a press conference at Hénin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais, for the launch of the 2008 municipal election]] | ||
====Hénin-Beaumont in 2008==== | ====Hénin-Beaumont in 2008==== | ||
{{Main|French municipal elections, 2008}} | {{Main|French municipal elections, 2008}} | ||
Since 2001, Gérard Dalongeville has been the ] of Hénin-Beaumont, an economically deprived town in a former coal mining area. | Since 2001, Gérard Dalongeville has been the ] of Hénin-Beaumont, an economically deprived town in a former coal mining area. | ||
A municipal councillor since 1995,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://briois.ublog.com/about.html|title=Biography of Steeve Briois|publisher=Steeve Briois' website| |
A municipal councillor since 1995,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://briois.ublog.com/about.html|title=Biography of Steeve Briois|publisher=Steeve Briois' website|access-date=15 November 2010|language=fr|archive-date=6 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106155512/http://briois.ublog.com/about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Steeve Briois led the FN list with Marine Le Pen in second position. The FN list came second with 28.53% (3,650 votes) in the first round and achieved 28.83% (3,630 votes) with five councillors elected in the run-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.lefigaro.fr/resultats/elections-municipales-2008/2eme-tour/pas-de-calais/62110/henin-beaumont/|title=2008 municipal election results in Hénin-Beaumont: first round and run-off|work=Le Figaro|language=fr|access-date=15 November 2010|archive-date=12 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112230743/http://elections.lefigaro.fr/resultats/elections-municipales-2008/2eme-tour/pas-de-calais/62110/henin-beaumont/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.lefigaro.fr/resultats/elections-municipales-2008/2eme-tour/pas-de-calais/62110/henin-beaumont/liste-1.php|title=Hénin-Beaumont: list of the 5 FN municipal councillors|work=Le Figaro|language=fr|access-date=15 November 2010|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721004839/http://elections.lefigaro.fr/resultats/elections-municipales-2008/2eme-tour/pas-de-calais/62110/henin-beaumont/liste-1.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Following the election, Briois and Le Pen sat in opposition against the re-elected ] Gérard Dalongeville and his first vice-mayor ]. | |||
====2009 Hénin-Beaumont by-election==== | ====2009 Hénin-Beaumont by-election==== | ||
A municipal by-election was held in Hénin-Beaumont on 28 June and 5 July 2009. |
{{Main|2009 municipal by-election in Hénin-Beaumont}}A municipal by-election was held in Hénin-Beaumont on 28 June and 5 July 2009. As in 2008, Steeve Briois was the FN top candidate with Le Pen in second position. | ||
The FN list |
The FN list led by a large margin after the first round, with 39.33% (4,485 votes), and received 47.62% (5,504 votes) in the run-off, with eight councillors elected,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/elections-municipales/2009/henin-beaumont-pas-calais/downloadFile/file/62_Mun_Par_28_juin_5_juillet_09_Henin_Beaumont_T1T2.pdf?nocache=1249634749.32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064219/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/elections-municipales/2009/henin-beaumont-pas-calais/downloadFile/file/62_Mun_Par_28_juin_5_juillet_09_Henin_Beaumont_T1T2.pdf?nocache=1249634749.32 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2011 |title=2009 Hénin-Beaumont municipal by-election results: first round and run-off |publisher=Minister of the Interior |date=7 August 2009 |access-date=4 September 2010 |language=fr }}</ref> though the FN again failed to win the municipality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E0DF153FF935A35754C0A96F9C8B63|title=Left Wins French Local Election With Backing of Center-Right|work=]|first=Steven|last=Erlanger|date=6 July 2009|access-date=18 November 2010|archive-date=5 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605002627/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E0DF153FF935A35754C0A96F9C8B63|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Briois, Le Pen and the six other FN councillors formed the opposition against the new ] Daniel Duquenne and his successor Eugène Binaisse. | |||
On 24 February 2011, |
On 24 February 2011, Le Pen resigned as a municipal councillor because of the law on the accumulation of mandates ("]").<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-politique/cumul-des-mandats-marine-le-pen-quitte-le-conseil-municipal-d-henin-beaumont-24-02-2011-1330084.php|title=Accumulation of mandates: Marine Le Pen leaves the municipal council of Hénin-Beaumont|work=] (AFP)|date=24 February 2011|access-date=26 February 2011|language=fr|archive-date=26 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226101949/http://www.leparisien.fr/flash-actualite-politique/cumul-des-mandats-marine-le-pen-quitte-le-conseil-municipal-d-henin-beaumont-24-02-2011-1330084.php|url-status=live}}</ref> In a letter entitled "I stay in Hénin-Beaumont!", she expressed the view that her political activities would be more effective for the city at regional and European levels than in the municipal council.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationspresse.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Lettre-de-Marine-Le-Pen-aux-habitants-dH%C3%A9nin-Beaumont.pdf|title=I stay in Hénin-Beaumont !|work=Nations Presse Info|date=24 February 2011|access-date=26 February 2011|language=fr}}{{dead link|date=March 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | ||
==Political mandates== | ==Political mandates== | ||
===Local mandates=== | ===Local mandates=== | ||
* Regional councillor of Nord-Pas-de-Calais |
* Regional councillor of Nord-Pas-de-Calais: (15 March 1998 – 28 March 2004); since 26 March 2010: member of the standing committee, leader of the FN group. | ||
* Regional councillor of Île-de-France (28 March 2004 – 21 March 2010) |
* Regional councillor of Île-de-France (28 March 2004 – 21 March 2010): member of the standing committee, leader of the FN group until February 2009. | ||
* Municipal councillor of Hénin-Beaumont (23 March 2008 – 24 February 2011). | * Municipal councillor of Hénin-Beaumont (23 March 2008 – 24 February 2011). | ||
===European mandates=== | ===European mandates=== | ||
Member of the European Parliament in the Île-de-France constituency (20 July 2004 – 13 July 2009) |
Member of the European Parliament in the Île-de-France constituency (20 July 2004 – 13 July 2009): ] (20 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/14 November 2007 – 13 July 2009); ] (15 January 2007 – 13 November 2007). | ||
* Member |
* Member: ] (21 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/15 January 2007 – 30 January 2007), ] (31 January 2007 – 13 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Israel (15 September 2004 – 13 March 2007/14 March 2007 – 13 July 2009) | ||
* Substitute |
* Substitute: ] (21 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/31 January 2007 – 13 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand (15 March 2007 – 13 July 2009)<ref name="MarineEU">{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/archive/alphaOrder/view.do?language=EN&id=28210|title=Marine Le Pen MEP_Archives|publisher=]|access-date=30 October 2010}}</ref> | ||
Member of the European Parliament in the North-West France constituency |
Member of the European Parliament in the North-West France constituency: ] (14 July 2009 – 16 June 2015); ] | ||
* Member |
* Member: ] (since 16 July 2009), Delegation to the ] (since 16 September 2009) | ||
* Substitute |
* Substitute: ] (since 16 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Canada (16 September 2009 – 14 November 2010)<ref name="MarineEU" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/members/public/geoSearch/view.do?country=FR&partNumber=1&zone=Nord-Ouest&language=EN&id=28210|title=Marine Le Pen MEP|publisher=]|access-date=30 October 2010}}</ref> | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* '''', Jacques Grancher, 2006 ISBN |
* '''', Jacques Grancher, 2006 {{ISBN|2-7339-0957-6}} (autobiography) {{in lang|fr}} | ||
* '''', Jacques Grancher, 2012, 260 pages {{in lang|fr}} | |||
{{fr icon}} | |||
* '''', Jacques Grancher, 2012, 260 pages | |||
== Notes== | |||
{{fr icon}} | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Wikiquote}} | {{Wikiquote}} | ||
{{Commons category|Marine Le Pen}} | {{Commons category|Marine Le Pen}} | ||
* {{Official website|https://mlafrance.fr/}} | |||
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* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000710/https://fanclub.marine-lepen.org/ |date=12 July 2022 }} | |||
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* {{Cite news |first=Tony |last=Cross |date=4 May 2012 |orig-date=3 May 2012 |title=Has Marine Le Pen Made France's Front National Respectable? |url=http://en.rfi.fr/economy/20120503-has-marine-le-pen-made-frances-front-national-respectable |publisher=RFI English |access-date=29 April 2017}} | |||
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Revision as of 04:33, 24 December 2024
French politician (born 1968)
Marine Le Pen | |
---|---|
Le Pen in 2024 | |
President of the National Rally group in the National Assembly | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 28 June 2022 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Member of the National Assembly for Pas-de-Calais's 11th constituency | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office 18 June 2017 | |
Preceded by | Philippe Kemel |
President of the National Rally | |
In office 16 January 2011 – 5 November 2022 | |
Vice President | Alain Jamet Louis Aliot Marie-Christine Arnautu Jean-François Jalkh Florian Philippot Steeve Briois Jordan Bardella |
Preceded by | Jean-Marie Le Pen |
Succeeded by | Jordan Bardella |
Chair of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group | |
In office 15 June 2015 – 19 June 2017Serving with Marcel de Graaff | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Nicolas Bay |
Member of the European Parliament | |
In office 14 July 2009 – 18 June 2017 | |
Constituency | North-West France |
In office 20 July 2004 – 13 July 2009 | |
Constituency | Île-de-France |
Regional Councillor | |
In office 4 January 2016 – 2 July 2021 | |
Constituency | Hauts-de-France |
In office 26 March 2010 – 13 December 2015 | |
Constituency | Nord-Pas-de-Calais |
In office 28 March 2004 – 21 March 2010 | |
Constituency | Île-de-France |
In office 21 March 1998 – 28 March 2004 | |
Constituency | Nord-Pas-de-Calais |
Personal details | |
Born | Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen (1968-08-05) 5 August 1968 (age 56) Neuilly-sur-Seine, France |
Political party | RN (since 1986) |
Spouses |
|
Domestic partner | Louis Aliot (2009–2019) |
Children | 3 |
Parents | |
Relatives | Marie-Caroline Le Pen (sister) Marion Maréchal (niece) Philippe Olivier (brother-in-law) Jordan Bardella (nephew-in-law) Vincenzo Sofo (nephew-in-law) |
Alma mater | Panthéon-Assas University (LLM, DEA) |
Signature | |
Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen (French: [maʁin lə pɛn]; born 5 August 1968) is a French lawyer and far-right politician who ran for the French presidency in 2012, 2017, and 2022. A member of the National Rally (RN; previously the National Front, FN), she served as its president from 2011 to 2021. She has been the member of the National Assembly for the 11th constituency of Pas-de-Calais since 2017. She has served as parliamentary party leader of the National Rally in the Assembly since June 2022.
Le Pen is the youngest daughter of former party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen and the aunt of former FN MP Marion Maréchal. Le Pen joined the FN in 1986. She was elected as a regional councillor of Nord-Pas-de-Calais (1998–2004; 2010–2015), Île-de-France (2004–2010) and Hauts-de-France (2015–2021), a Member of European Parliament (2004–2017), as well as a municipal councillor of Hénin-Beaumont (2008–2011). She won the leadership of the FN in 2011, with 67.6% of the vote, defeating Bruno Gollnisch and succeeding her father, who had been president of the party since he founded it in 1972. In 2012, she placed third in the presidential election with 17.9% of the vote, behind François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. She launched a second bid for the presidency at the 2017 election. She finished second in the first round of the election with 21.3% of the vote and faced Emmanuel Macron of centrist party En Marche! in the second round of voting. On 7 May 2017, she conceded after receiving approximately 33.9% of the vote in the second round. In 2020, she announced her third candidacy for the presidency in the 2022 election. She came second in the first round of the election with 23.2% of the votes, thus qualifying her for the second round against Macron, losing in the second round after receiving 41.5% of the votes.
Le Pen has led a movement of "de-demonisation of the National Front" to soften its image, including limited expulsion of members accused of racism, antisemitism or Pétainism. She expelled her father from the party in August 2015, after he made fresh controversial statements. While liberalizing some political positions of the party by revoking its opposition to same-sex partnerships, its opposition to unconditional abortions, and its support for the death penalty, Le Pen still advocates many of the same historical policies of her party, with particular focus on strong anti-immigration, nationalist and protectionist measures. She is supportive of economic nationalism, favoring an interventionist role of government, and is opposed to globalization and multiculturalism. Le Pen supports limiting immigration and banning ritual slaughter. She has made supportive comments of Vladimir Putin and Russia in the past, advocating closer cooperation before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine; she strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, but stated Russia could become "an ally of France again" if it ends. She has supported Israel during the Israel–Hamas war.
Time named Le Pen one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2011 and 2015. In 2016, Politico named her the second-most influential MEP in the European Parliament, after President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. In January 2024, after months of rising polling numbers, and for the first time ever, Le Pen became the most popular politician in France according to a Verian-Epoka for Le Figaro Magazine.
Early life and education
Childhood
Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen was born on 5 August 1968 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, the youngest of three daughters of Jean-Marie Le Pen, a Breton politician and former paratrooper, and his first wife, Pierrette Le Pen. She was baptized on 25 April 1969 at La Madeleine Church in Paris. Her godfather was Henri Botey, a relative of her father.
Le Pen has two sisters: Yann and Marie-Caroline. In 1976, when Marine was eight, a bomb meant for her father exploded in the stairwell outside the family's apartment as they slept. The blast ripped a hole in the outside wall of the building, but Marine, her two older sisters and their parents were unharmed.
She was a student at the Lycée Florent Schmitt in Saint-Cloud. Her mother left the family in 1984 when Marine was 16. Le Pen wrote in her autobiography that the effect was "the most awful, cruel, crushing of pains of the heart: my mother did not love me." Her parents divorced in 1987.
Legal studies and work
Le Pen studied law at Panthéon-Assas University, graduating with a Master of Laws in 1991 and a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) in criminal law in 1992. Registered at the Paris bar association, she worked as a lawyer for six years (1992–1998), appearing regularly before the criminal chamber of the 23rd district court of Paris which judges immediate appearances, and often acting as a public defender. She was a member of the Paris Bar until 1998, when she joined the legal department of the National Front.
Personal life
In 1995, Le Pen married Franck Chauffroy, a business executive who worked for the National Front. She has three children with Chauffroy (Jehanne, Louis, and Mathilde). After her divorce from Chauffroy in 2000, she married Eric Lorio in 2002, the former national secretary of the National Front and a former adviser to the Regional election in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The couple divorced in 2006.
From 2009 until 2019, she was in a relationship with Louis Aliot, who is of ethnic French Pied-Noir and Algerian Jewish heritage. He was the National Front general secretary from 2005 to 2010, then the National Front vice president. She has lived in La Celle-Saint-Cloud with her three children since September 2014. She has an apartment in Hénin-Beaumont and owns a house with Aliot in Millas.
Le Pen has described herself as a non-practising Catholic. Her children were baptised by a priest of the Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) in the Church of Saint-Nicolas du Chardonnet.
Early political career
1986–2010: Rise within the National Front
Marine Le Pen joined the FN in 1986, at the age of 18. She acquired her first political mandate in 1998 when she was elected a Regional Councillor for Nord-Pas-de-Calais. In the same year, she joined the FN's juridical branch, which she led until 2003.
In 2000, she became president of Generations Le Pen, a loose association close to the party which aimed at "de-demonizing the Front National". She became a member the FN Executive Committee (French: bureau politique) in 2000, and vice-president of the FN in 2003. In 2006, she managed the presidential campaign of her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. She became one of the two executive vice-presidents of the FN in 2007, with responsibility for training, communication and publicity.
In the 2007 parliamentary election, she contested Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency but came second behind incumbent Socialist MP Albert Facon.
2010–11: Leadership campaign
Early in 2010, Le Pen expressed her intention to run for leader of the FN, saying that she hoped to make the party "a big popular party that addresses itself not only to the electorate on the right but to all the French people".
On 3 September 2010, she launched her leadership campaign at Cuers, Var. During a meeting in Paris on 14 November 2010, she said that her goal was "not only to assemble our political family. It consists of shaping the Front National as the center of grouping of the whole French people", adding that in her view the FN leader should be the party's candidate in the 2012 presidential election. She spent four months campaigning for the FN leadership, holding meetings with FN members in 51 departments. All the other departments were visited by one of her official supporters. During her final meeting of the campaign in Hénin-Beaumont on 19 December 2010, she claimed that the FN would present the real debate of the next presidential campaign. Her candidacy was endorsed by a majority of senior figures in the party, including her father.
On several occasions during her campaign she ruled out any political alliance with the Union for a Popular Movement. She also distanced herself from some of Jean-Marie Le Pen's most controversial statements, such as those relating to war crimes, which was reported in the media as attempts to improve the party's image. While her father had attracted controversy by saying that the mass murder of Jews in gas chambers during the Holocaust was "a detail of the history of World War II", she described genocide as "the height of barbarism".
In December 2010 and early January 2011, FN members voted by post to elect their new president and the members of the central committee. The party held a congress at Tours on 15–16 January. On 16 January 2011, Marine Le Pen was elected as the new president of the FN, with 67.65% of the vote (11,546 votes to 5,522 for Bruno Gollnisch), and Jean-Marie Le Pen became honorary chairman.
Muslim occupation comment
Marine Le Pen received substantial media attention during the campaign as a result of comments, made during a speech to party members in Lyon on 10 December 2010, in which she compared the use of public streets and squares in French cities (in particular rue Myrha in the 18th arrondissement of Paris) for Muslim prayers with the Nazi occupation of France. She said:
For those who want to talk a lot about World War II, if it's about occupation, then we could also talk about it (Muslim prayers in the streets), because that is occupation of territory ... It is an occupation of sections of the territory, of districts in which religious laws apply ... There are of course no tanks, there are no soldiers, but it is nevertheless an occupation and it weighs heavily on local residents.
Her comments were much criticised. Government spokesman François Baroin characterized her remarks as racist and xenophobic. The Representative Council of French Jewish Institutions (CRIF), the French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) and the International League against Racism and Anti-Semitism (LICRA) condemned her statement, and groups including MRAP (Movement Against Racism and for Friendship between Peoples) and the French Human Rights League (LDH) declared their intention to lodge a formal complaint. The imam of the Great Mosque of Paris and former president of the CFCM, Dalil Boubakeur, said that, while her parallel was questionable and to be condemned, she had asked a valid question.
Le Pen's partner Louis Aliot, a member of the FN's Executive Committee, criticized "the attempted manipulation of opinion by communitarian groups and those really responsible for the current situation in France". On 13 December 2010, Le Pen reasserted her statement during a press conference at the FN headquarters in Nanterre. After Jean-François Kahn's comments on BFM TV on 13 December 2010, she accused the Élysée Palace of organising "state manipulation" with the intention of demonizing her in public opinion. On 15 December 2015, a Lyon court acquitted her of "inciting hatred", ruling that her statement "did not target all of the Muslim community" and was protected "as a part of freedom of expression".
Leadership of the National Front/National Rally 2011-2022
Rebranding of the National Front
Le Pen has pursued a policy of "de-demonisation" of her party, to reform its image away from the extremism associated with her father, the former leader of the party and to increase the appeal of the party to voters. This has included policy reform and personnel replacement, including the expulsion of her own father from the party in 2015. Measures aimed at de-demonisation have included dropping all references to World War II or to the French colonial wars, which is often looked on as a generation gap. and distancing herself from her father's views.
Bernard-Henri Lévy, a strong opponent of the FN, described Le Pen's leadership of it as "far-right with a human face". The measures have also attracted criticism from former allies as making the party too mainstream, abandoning long-held policies and ignoring grassroots support.
In a 2010 RTL interview, Le Pen stated that her strategy was not about changing the FN's program but about showing it as it really is, instead of the image given to it by the media in the previous decades. The media and her political adversaries are accused of spreading an "unfair, wrong and caricatural" image of the National Front. She refuses the qualification of far-right or extreme-right, considering it a pejorative term: "How am I party of the extreme right? ... I don't think that our propositions are extreme propositions, whatever the subject".
In 2014, the American magazine Foreign Policy mentioned her, along with four other French people, in its list of the 100 global thinkers of the year, underlining the way she "renovated the image" of her party, which had become a model for other right-wing parties in Europe after her success in the European elections. At a European level, she stopped the alliance built by her father with some right-wing extremist parties and refused to be part of a group with the radical Jobbik or the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn. Her transnational allies share the fact that they have officially condemned antisemitism, accepted a more liberal approach toward social matters, and are sometimes pro-Israel such as the Dutch PVV. French historian Nicolas Lebourg concluded that she is looked upon as a compass for them to follow while maintaining local particularities.
While other European populists embraced Donald Trump's candidacy in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, she said only, "For France, anything is better than Hillary Clinton". However, on 8 November 2016, she posted a tweet congratulating Trump on his election.
Her social program and her support of SYRIZA in the 2015 Greek general elections led Nicolas Sarkozy to declare her a far-left politician sharing some of Jean-Luc Mélenchon's propositions. President François Hollande said she was talking "like a leaflet of the Communist Party". Éric Zemmour, then known as a journalist for the conservative newspaper Le Figaro, wrote during the 2012 presidential election that the FN had become a left-wing party under the influence of adviser Florian Philippot. She has also relaxed some political positions of the party, advocating for civil unions for same-sex couples instead of her party's previous opposition to legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, accepting current abortion laws, and withdrawing the restitution of the death penalty from her platform.
Despite Le Pen's attempts to make the National Front more palatable to the international community, the party and Le Pen herself continue to attract criticism: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she "will contribute to make other political forces stronger than the National Front"; Israel still holds a negative opinion of her party; and former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage – himself a frequent critic of Islam and immigration – has said, "I've never said a bad word about Marine Le Pen; I've never said a good word about her party".
First steps as a New leader: 2011
As a president of the Front National, Marine Le Pen currently sits as an ex officio member among the FN Executive Office (8 members), the Executive Committee (42 members) and the Central Committee (3 ex officio members, 100 elected members, 20 co-opted members).
During her opening speech in Tours on 16 January 2011, she advocated to "restore the political framework of the national community" and to implement the direct democracy which enables the "civic responsibility and the collective tie" thanks to the participation of public-spirited citizens for the decisions. The predominant political theme was the uncompromising defence of a protective and efficient state, which favours secularism, prosperity and liberties. She also denounced the "Europe of Brussels" which "everywhere imposed the destructive principles of ultra-liberalism and free trade, at the expense of public utilities, employment, social equity and even our economic growth which became within twenty years the weakest of the world". After the traditional Joan of Arc march and Labour Day march in Paris on 1 May 2011, she gave her first speech in front of 3,000 supporters.
On 10 and 11 September 2011, she made her political comeback with the title "the voice of people, the spirit of France" in the convention center of Acropolis in Nice. During her closing speech she addressed immigration, insecurity, the economic and social situation, reindustrialization and 'strong state'. During a demonstration held in front of the Senate on 8 December 2011, she expressed in a speech her "firm and absolute opposition" to the right of foreigners to vote. She regularly held thematic press conferences and interventions on varied issues in French, European and international politics.
First presidential candidacy: 2011–2012
Main articles: French presidential election, 2012 and Marine Le Pen presidential campaign, 2012 Le Pen on 19 November 2011 in Paris announcing her presidential candidacy (top) and singing "La Marseillaise" at the conclusion of her presentation (bottom)On 16 May 2011, Marine Le Pen's presidential candidacy was unanimously approved by the FN Executive Committee. On 10 and 11 September 2011, she launched her presidential campaign in Nice. On 6 October 2011, she held a press conference to introduce the members of her presidential campaign team.
In a speech in Paris on 19 November 2011, Le Pen presented the main themes of her presidential campaign: sovereignty of the people and democracy, Europe, re-industrialisation and a strong state, family and education, immigration and assimilation versus communitarianism, geopolitics and international politics. At a press conference on 12 January 2012, she presented a detailed assessment of her presidential project, and a plan to reduce France's debt. At another press conference on 1 February 2012, she outlined her policies for the overseas departments and territories of France. Many observers noted her tendency to focus on economic and social issues such as globalization and delocalisations, rather than immigration or law and order, which had until then been the central issues for the FN. On 11 December 2011, she held her first campaign meeting in Metz, and from early January to mid-April 2012, she held similar meetings each week in the major French cities. On 17 April 2012, between 6,000 and 7,000 people participated part in her final campaign meeting, held at the Zenith in Paris.
On 13 March 2012, she announced that she had collected the 500 signatures required to take part in the presidential election. On 19 March 2012, the Constitutional Council approved her candidacy, and those of nine competitors. On 22 April 2012, she polled 17.90% (6,421,426 votes) in the first round, finishing in third position behind François Hollande and incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy. She achieved better results, in both percentage vote-share and number of votes, than her father had in the 2002 presidential election (16.86%, 4,804,772 votes in the first round; 17.79%, 5,525,034 votes in the run-off).
Marine Le Pen during her presidential campaign, on 15 April 2012First round results in 2012: candidates with the most votes by departments (mainland France, overseas and French citizens living abroad). Marine Le Pen came first in Gard.Le Pen polled first in Gard (25.51%, 106,646 votes), with Sarkozy and Hollande polling 24.86% (103,927 votes) and 24.11% (100,778 votes) respectively. She also came first in her municipal stronghold of Hénin-Beaumont (35.48%, 4,924 votes), where Hollande and Sarkozy polled 26.82% (3,723 votes) and 15.76% (2,187 votes) respectively. She achieved her highest results east of the line from Le Havre in the north to Perpignan in the south, and conversely she won fewer votes in western France, especially cities such as Paris, overseas and among French citizens living abroad (5.95%, 23,995 votes). However, she polled well in two rural departments in western France: Orne (20.00%, 34,757 votes) and Sarthe (19.17%, 62,516 votes).
Her highest regional result was in Picardy (25.03%, 266,041 votes), her highest departmental result in Vaucluse (27.03%, 84,585 votes), and her highest overseas result in Saint Pierre and Miquelon (15.81%, 416 votes).
She achieved her lowest regional result in Île-de-France (12.28%, 655,926 votes), her lowest departmental result in Paris (6.20%, 61,503 votes), and her lowest overseas result in Wallis and Futuna (2.37%, 152 votes).
French sociologist Sylvain Crépon, who analysed the social and occupational groups of the FN voters in 2012, explained: "The FN vote is made up of the victims of globalisation. It is the small shopkeepers who are going under because of the economic crisis and competition from the out-of-town hypermarkets; it is low-paid workers from the private sector; the unemployed. The FN scores well among people living in poverty, who have a real fear about how to make ends meet." Crépon also analysed the increase of the FN vote in "rural" areas and the recent sociological changes in these areas made up of small provincial towns and new housing-estate commuter belts built on the distant outskirts of the cities: "The rural underclass is no longer agricultural. It is people who have fled the big cities and the inner suburbs because they can no longer afford to live there. Many of these people will have had recent experience of living in the banlieues (high immigration suburbs) – and have had contact with the problems of insecurity." Commentators also pointed that there were more young people and women voting for the party in 2012.
On 1 May 2012, during a speech delivered in Paris after the traditional Joan of Arc and Labor Day march, Le Pen refused to back either Sarkozy or Hollande in the run-off on 6 May. Addressing the party's annual rally at Place de l'Opéra, she vowed to cast a blank ballot and told her supporters to vote with their conscience, saying: "Hollande and Sarkozy – neither of them will save you. On Sunday I will cast a blank protest vote. I have made my choice. Each of you will make yours." Accusing both candidates of surrendering to Europe and financial markets, she asked: "Who between Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy will impose the austerity plan in the most servile way? Who will submit the best to the instructions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB) or the European Commission?".
Electoral results: 2012–2016
Following the increase in support for the FN in the presidential election, Le Pen announced the formation an electoral coalition to contest the June 2012 parliamentary elections called the Blue Marine Gathering. Standing as a candidate in the Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency, Le Pen won 42.36% of the vote, well ahead of the Socialist representative Philippe Kemel (23.50%) and far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon (21.48%). She was defeated by Kemel in the second round with 49.86% and filed an appeal with the Constitutional Council, which was rejected despite an observation of some irregularities. Nationally, the FN had two lawmakers elected: Le Pen's niece Marion Maréchal and Gilbert Collard.
In 2014, Le Pen led the party to further electoral advances in the municipal and senatorial elections: eleven mayors and two senators were elected, with the FN entering the upper chamber for the first time.
On 24 May 2014, the FN received the most votes in the European elections in France, with a 24.90% share. Marine Le Pen came in first place in her North-West constituency with 33.60%. 25 FN representatives were elected to the European Parliament from France. They voted against the Juncker Commission when it was formed in July 2014. One year later, Le Pen announced the formation of Europe of Nations and Freedom, a parliamentary grouping composed of the National Front, the Freedom Party of Austria, Lega Nord of Italy, the Dutch Party for Freedom, the Congress of the New Right from Poland, the Flemish Vlaams Belang of Belgium, and British independent MEP Janice Atkinson, formerly of UKIP. Le Pen's first attempt to assemble this grouping in 2014 had failed due to UKIP and the Sweden Democrats refusing to join, as well as some controversial statements from her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. Le Pen sat on the commission for international trade. In 2016, Politico ranked her as the second most influential MEP after Martin Schulz.
In April 2015, Le Pen's father gave two interviews including controversial statements about World War II and about minorities in France, causing a political crisis in the FN. Marine Le Pen organised a postal vote to ask FN members to change the party's statutes to expel her father. J-M Le Pen pursued his movement and the justice cancelled the vote. On 25 August, the FN executive office voted to expel him from the party he had founded forty years earlier. Marine's dependence on her closest adviser, Florian Philippot, a former left-wing technocrat, was observed. The party instigated a purge to expel the members who had opposed the changes within the FN under Marine Le Pen's leadership.
Le Pen subsequently announced her candidacy for the presidency of the regional council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie in the 2015 regional elections, though she expressed her regret over the proximity of these elections to the next presidential election. On 6 December, she finished first with 40.6% of the vote, but the Socialist candidate (third with 18.12%) withdrew and declared support for her right-wing opponent Xavier Bertrand, who won with 57.80% of the vote. Her niece Marion also lost, under similar circumstances, by a smaller margin.
Second presidential candidacy: 2016–2017
Main article: French presidential election, 2017Leading candidate in polls
Marine Le Pen announced her candidacy for the 2017 French presidential election on 8 April 2016. She appointed FN Senator David Rachline as her campaign manager. The FN had difficulty finding funding because of the refusal of French banks to provide credit. Instead, the FN borrowed €9 million from the First Czech-Russian Bank in Moscow in 2014, despite European Union sanctions placed on Russia following the annexation of Crimea. In February 2016, the FN asked Russia for another loan, this time of €27 million, but the second loan was not paid.
Political analysts suggested that Le Pen's strong position in opinion polls was due to the absence of a primary in her party (consolidating her leadership), the news of the migrant crisis and terrorist attacks in France (reinforcing her political positions) and the very right-wing campaign of Nicolas Sarkozy in the Republican primary (enlarging her themes). In a 2016 interview with the BBC, Le Pen said that Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election would help her, saying that Trump had "made possible what had previously been presented as impossible". However, she said she would not officially launch her campaign before February 2017, waiting for the results of the Republican and Socialist primaries, and preferred to keep a low media profile and use thematic think tanks to expand and promote her political program. As a result, her rare media appearances attracted large audiences (2.3 million viewers for Vie politique on TF1 on 11 September 2016 and 4 million for Une ambition intime on M6 on 16 October).
The FN's communications also received media attention: a new Mitterrand-inspired poster depicting her in a rural landscape with the slogan "Appeased France" was a response to surveys indicating that she remained controversial for large parts of the French electorate. Satirical treatment of this poster led to the slogan being changed to: "In the name of the people". Meanwhile, the FN logo and the name Le Pen were removed from campaign posters.
Le Pen launched her candidacy on 4 and 5 February 2017 in Lyon, promising a referendum on France's membership of the European Union if she could not achieve her territorial, monetary, economic and legislative goals for the country within six months renegotiation with the EU. Her first campaign appearance on television, four days later, received the highest viewing figures on France 2 since the previous presidential election (16.70% with 3.7 million viewers). Her 2017 presidential campaign emphasized Le Pen as a softer, feminine figure, with a blue rose as a prominent campaign symbol.
Campaign
Main article: 2017 Marine Le Pen presidential campaignOn 2 March 2017, the European Parliament voted to revoke Le Pen's immunity from prosecution for tweeting violent imagery. Le Pen had tweeted an image of beheaded journalist James Foley in December 2015, which was deleted following a request from Foley's family. Le Pen also faced prosecution for allegedly spending EU Parliament funds on her own political party; the lifting of her immunity from prosecution did not apply to the ongoing investigation into the misuse of parliamentary funds by the FN.
Le Pen met with several incumbent heads of state including Lebanon's Michel Aoun, Chad's Idriss Déby, and Russia's Vladimir Putin.
The ground floor of the building which housed Le Pen's campaign headquarters was targeted by an arson attempt during the early morning of 13 April 2017.
In 2017, Le Pen argued that France as a nation bore no responsibility for the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup, in which Paris policemen arrested Jewish citizens for deportation to Auschwitz as part of the Holocaust. She repeated a Gaullist thesis according to which France was not represented by the Vichy regime, but by Charles de Gaulle's Free France.
On 20 April 2017, in the wake of a shooting targeting police officers which was being treated as a suspected terrorist attack, Le Pen cancelled a planned campaign event. The next day, she called for the closure of all "extremist" mosques, a remark that was criticised by Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, who accused her of attempting to "capitalise" on the incident. She also called for the expulsion of hate preachers and people on the French security services' watch list, and the revocation of their citizenship. The Guardian said the attack could serve as "ammunition" for right-wing candidates in the election, including Le Pen.
On 21 April 2017, United States President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that the shooting would have "a big effect on the presidential election." Later that day, Trump said that Le Pen was the "strongest on borders, and she's the strongest on what's been going on in France." Meanwhile, former US President Barack Obama phoned Emmanuel Macron to express his support.
Second round
Le Pen won 21.3% of the vote (7.7 million votes) in the first round of the election on 23 April 2017, placing her second behind Macron, who received 24.0%, meaning that they would face each other in the run-off on 7 May. On 24 April 2017, the day after the first round of voting, Le Pen announced that she would temporarily step down as the leader of the FN in an attempt to unite voters. "The President of the Republic is the president of all the French people, they must bring them all together," she said.
After progressing to the second round, she said that the campaign was now "a referendum for or against France" and tried to convince those voting for the hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon to support her. This choice was later criticised by those in her party who believed that she had abandoned François Fillon's voters in spite of their conservative and anti-immigration stance. On 1 May 2017, a video emerged of Le Pen copying sections of a speech by Francois Fillon word-for-word.
In the first days of the second round campaign, the gap in opinion polls began to narrow. On 25 April, Le Pen went to Amiens in an unexpected visit to meet workers at the Whirlpool factory while Macron was in a meeting with local officials at the same time, with Le Pen receiving a positive welcome. Macron then also visited the factory workers, but was booed by a hostile crowd.
Le Pen was generally regarded as the loser of the televised debate between the two candidates. Her performance was strongly criticised by politicians, commentators, and members of her own party, and described as a "sabotage" by conservative journalist Éric Zemmour. Le Pen herself subsequently acknowledged that she had "misfired" during the debate. In the following days, she began to slip in opinion polls.
On 7 May, she conceded defeat to Emmanuel Macron. Her vote share of 33.9% was lower than any polls had predicted, and was attributed to her poor performance in the debate. She immediately announced a "full transformation" of the FN in the following months.
Member of the National Assembly: 2017–present
On 18 May 2017, Le Pen announced that she would run as a candidate at the parliamentary elections in the Pas-de-Calais's 11th constituency, in her fifth attempt to be elected as a deputy. She received just under 46% of the vote in the first round, and won the second with just under 58% against Anne Roquet of En Marche. She became a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the National Assembly. She then resigned as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
In 2019, it was reported that Le Pen no longer wants France to leave the European Union, nor for it to leave the euro currency. Instead, it was reported she and her party wants to change the EU bloc from the inside along with allied parties.
On 4 July 2021, she was elected again to lead the National Rally with no opposing candidate.
Third presidential candidacy and legislative election: 2022
In January 2020, Le Pen announced her third candidacy for president of France in the 2022 presidential election. On 15 January 2022, she launched her campaign.
In February 2022, during Le Pen's presidential campaign, Stéphane Ravier, the only Senator from her political party, publicly endorsed her far-right presidential rival Éric Zemmour.
During the first round of the election, Le Pen won second place, with 23.15% of the votes. On 22 April, she participated in a televised debate against Macron. She was defeated in a run-off against Emmanuel Macron on 24 April: on this occasion, she obtained 41.45% of the votes, the highest share of the vote for a nationalist candidate in French history.
It was remarked that a Є10.6 million loan provided by the Hungarian bank MKB Bank chaired by Lőrinc Mészáros, a close ally of Viktor Orban, was used to finance her presidential campaign. The transaction depended on Orban to be completed; normally the bankers would not have done it.
During the 2022 French legislative election which followed soon after, she led her party into winning its highest number of seats in the National Assembly since its founding, RN eventually becoming the largest opposition party in Parliament. Days later, she was elected by acclamation as leader of the parliamentary National Rally party in the Assembly, a position she currently holds.
Standing down
In November 2022 Le Pen stood down from chairing the National Rally. She was succeeded by Jordan Bardella who had previously acted as the party's interim leader during her presidential campaign.
Political positions
Main article: Political positions of Marine Le PenImmigration and multiculturalism
Further information: Immigration to FranceLe Pen and the RN advocate a tough line on immigration, believing that multiculturalism has failed, and oppose what they see as the "Islamisation" of France. Le Pen has called for a moratorium on legal immigration. She would repeal laws allowing illegal immigrants to become legal residents, and has argued that benefits provided to immigrants be reduced to remove incentives for new immigrants. Following the beginning of the Arab Spring and the European migrant crisis, she called for France to withdraw from the Schengen Area and reinstate border controls.
She supports restrictions on ritual slaughter.
Le Pen took part in the March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism in Paris on 12 November 2023 in response to the rise in antisemitism since the start of the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
Economic policy
On energy, Le Pen advocates a policy of energy independence for France, with a strong emphasis on support for nuclear and hydroelectric power. Le Pen is strongly opposed to wind energy due to its intermittency, tax burden in utility bills and impact on the landscape and built heritage. She is proposing a moratorium on new wind energy development on both sea and land from 2022 and the eventual dismantling of all current wind turbines. Le Pen favours protectionism as an alternative to free trade. She supports economic nationalism, the separation of investment and retail banking, and energy diversification, and is opposed to the privatization of public services and social security, speculation on international commodity markets, and is opposed to the Common Agricultural Policy. Le Pen also supports maintaining France's system of sectoral bargaining and opposed Macron's reforms of the labour code.
Le Pen is opposed to globalization, which she blames for various negative economic trends, and opposes European Union supranationalism and federalism, instead favouring a loosely confederate 'Europe of the Nations'. As of 2019, she no longer advocates for France to leave the EU or euro currency; she had previously called both for France to leave the Eurozone and for a referendum on France leaving the EU. She has been a vocal opponent of the Treaty of Lisbon, and opposes EU membership for Turkey and Ukraine. She proposes the replacement of the World Trade Organization and the abolition of the International Monetary Fund.
Foreign policy
On foreign policy, Le Pen has criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. She also criticised the privileged relations that France maintains with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which she said are helping to fund and arm Islamist fundamentalists, while encouraging closer ties with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which she said "fight fundamentalism". She has said she believes that Ukraine has been "subjugated" by the United States. She was strongly critical of NATO policy in the region, of Eastern European anti-Russian sentiment, and of threatened economic sanctions. In response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Le Pen criticized Russia's action despite her previous pro-Russia stance. She advocated welcoming Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. She has stated that if elected she would remove France from NATO's integrated military command. In October 2023, she condemned Hamas' actions during the Israel–Hamas war and expressed her support to Israel and its right to self-defense. In May 2024, she officially met with an Israeli government minister for the first time.
Other issues
Regarding feminism, Le Pen often says she identifies as a feminist in the context of defending women's rights and improving women's lives, although she is critical of what she calls "neo-feminism", which she characterises as women going to war against men.
Media image
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National media
Le Pen's appearances on television and radio have played an important role in her political career, and her political activities are regularly covered in the French media.
During an appearance on the programme Mots croisés (Crossed Words) on France 2 on 5 October 2009, Le Pen quoted sections of Frédéric Mitterrand's autobiographical novel The Bad Life, accusing him of having sex with underage boys and engaging in sex tourism, and demanding his resignation as Minister of Culture. According to French political commentator Jérôme Fourquet, the Mitterrand case was Le Pen's media breakthrough.
Le Pen appeared several times on À vous de juger (You Be The Judge), a political discussion show on France 2 hosted by journalist and commentator Arlette Chabot. In her first appearance, on 14 January 2010, Marine Le Pen appeared opposite Éric Besson, then-Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Mutually Supportive Development.
In her first appearance as a main guest on À vous de juger, on 9 December 2010, she was questioned on economic, social and immigration issues by Chabot and political commentator Alain Duhamel; she then took part in debates, first with the socialist Mayor of Évry Manuel Valls and then Rachida Dati, Minister of Justice. The broadcast was viewed by 3,356,000 viewers (14.6% of the television audience), the highest viewing figures for 2010 and the fourth highest since the series first aired in September 2005.
In December 2010, French journalist Guillaume Tabard described Le Pen as the "revelation of the year", and as "first an electoral phenomenon" and "a media phenomenon after".
À vous de juger was replaced on France 2 by Des paroles et des actes (Words and Acts), hosted by journalist and anchorman David Pujadas. In her first appearance as a main guest on 23 June 2011, Le Pen appeared opposite Cécile Duflot, national secretary of The Greens. The broadcast was viewed by 3,582,000 viewers (15.1% of the television audience at the time).
Le Pen has also appeared on Parole directe (Direct Speech) on TF1, hosted by Laurence Ferrari and political commentator François Bachy. Her first appearance as a sole guest on 15 September 2011 was viewed by an average of 6 million viewers (23.3% of the television audience) with a peak of 7.3 million in the second half of the programme.
International media
Le Pen has appeared in the news media of other European countries, Russia, the Middle East, and the United States. She appeared on Quebec web-radio station Rockik in December 2008, Radio Canada in May 2010, and the Israeli radio station 90FM in March 2011. In March 2011, she appeared on the front cover of The Weekly Standard magazine. She spoke to international journalists at a press conference on 13 January 2012, organised by the European American Press Club.
On 21 April 2011, she was featured in the 2011 Time 100 with a commentary from Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the far-right Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and vice chairman of the State Duma.
In October 2011, she launched her book "Pour que vive la France" in Verona, Italy, and met Assunta Almirante, the widow of Giorgio Almirante, leader of the far-right Italian Social Movement (MSI).
In February 2013, she spoke at the Cambridge Union Society, the debating society of the University of Cambridge. Her appearance sparked controversy, with anti-fascist group Unite Against Fascism opposing her invitation on a No Platform basis and organising a demonstration outside the venue, attended by around 200 people. The protests were supported by numerous Cambridge societies, including Cambridge University Students' Union and Cambridge University Labour Club; other groups, such as the Cambridge Libertarians, supported her invitation.
Legal issues
In October 2023, Le Pen was convicted of committing defamation against French NGO Cimade when she accused the organization in a January 2022 television interview of being "accomplices to smugglers" and being involved in an "illegal immigration network from the Comoros" in Mayotte. She was ordered to pay €500 and to also sustain court costs.
In December 2023, Le Pen was ordered to stand trial after she was charged with paying National Rally party officials through funds earmarked for European Parliament assistants. Twenty-seven others, including her father Jean Marie, will serve as her co-defendants. Her trial, for embezzlement of public funds, was scheduled in March 2024 to occur between 30 September and 27 November the same year. Le Pen claimed as a self defense that she has committed no wrongdoing. The founder of the party, Marine Le Pen’s father and a former member of the EU assembly, was also supposed to have a trial, but judges decided the 96-year-old was too fragile.
Elections contested
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European elections
In the 2004 European Parliament election, Le Pen led the FN list in the Île-de-France constituency. The list polled 8.58% (234,893 votes), winning one of fourteen available seats.
In the 2009 European parliament election, Le Pen led the FN list in the North-West France constituency. The party polled 10.18% (253,009 votes), the highest FN vote share of French constituencies, and won one of the ten seats. The FN's constituency list received its highest regional result in Picardy (12.57%, 63,624 votes), its highest departmental result in Aisne (13.40%, 19,125 votes), and its highest municipal results in Pas-de-Calais: Hénin-Beaumont (27.92%, 1,799 votes), Courcelles-lès-Lens (26.57%), Noyelles-Godault (24.72%).
Parliamentary elections
Paris in 1993
Le Pen first stood for parliament in the 1993 legislative election, in Paris' 16th constituency (17th arrondissement of Paris). She finished third with 11.10% (3,963 votes), and Bernard Pons (UDR) was re-elected as the MP with 63.14% (22,545 votes) in the first round.
Lens in 2002
She stood in the 2002 election in Pas-de-Calais' 13th constituency, Lens, an economically deprived socialist stronghold. Le Pen polled 24.24% (10,228 votes) in the first round, qualifying for the run-off against socialist Jean-Claude Bois, in which Le Pen received 32.30% (12,266 votes); Bois was re-elected as the MP with 67.70% (27,510 votes).
Hénin-Beaumont in 2007
In the 2007 election, Le Pen and her substitute Steeve Briois stood for the FN in the Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency, Hénin-Beaumont, a former coal mining area with high unemployment. Le Pen expressed the view that due to unemployment, offshoring and insecurity, the constituency symbolised the major problems of France. Le Pen's campaign committee was led by Daniel Janssens, who had previously served for 24 years as the socialist deputy mayor of Leforest.
Le Pen finished second of fourteen candidates in the first round with 24.47% (10,593 votes), behind incumbent Socialist MP Albert Facon with 28.24% (12,221 votes). Le Pen was the only FN candidate in France to qualify for the run-off. After the first round, Le Pen was endorsed by Gaullist politicians Alain Griotteray and Michel Caldaguès and the souverainiste MEP Paul-Marie Coûteaux.
In the run-off, Le Pen received 41.65% (17,107 votes), and Facon was re-elected as the MP with 58.35% (23,965 votes). Her strongest results came in Courcelles-lès-Lens (48.71%), Noyelles-Godault (47.85%), and Hénin-Beaumont (44.54%, 4,729 votes). According to political analysts, Le Pen's strong showing in the constituency was a result of economic and social issues like de-industrialization, unemployment and a feeling of abandonment, rather than immigration or security.
Hénin-Beaumont in 2012
In the 2012 election, Le Pen, now leader of the FN, stood in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency, which now contained Henin-Beaumont following redistricting, where she had got her best results in the presidential election. Her opponents were Philippe Kemel and Jean-Luc Mélenchon. She finished first in the first round on 10 June 2012, with 42.36% (22,280 votes), and was defeated in the second round by Philippe Kemel.
In 2014, the Criminal Court of Bethune found Marine Le Pen guilty of electoral fraud, for producing and distributing flyers during the 2012 election purporting to be from electoral opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon, calling for 'Arab' votes. She was ordered to pay a €10,000 fine.
Hénin-Beaumont in 2017
In the 2017 French legislative election, Le Pen once again stood in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency. She finished first in the first round on 11 June 2017, with 46.02% (19,997 votes), and won the seat in the second round with 58.60% (22,769 votes) over Anne Roquet of La République En Marche!.
Hénin-Beaumont in 2022
In the 2022 French legislative election, Le Pen stood for re-election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency. She finished first in the first round on 12 June 2022, with 53.96% (21,219 votes), and won the seat again in the second round with 61.03% (22,301 votes) over Marine Tondelier of Europe Ecology – The Greens.
Hénin-Beaumont in 2024
Le Pen once again stood for re-election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency in the 2024 French legislative election.
Regional elections
Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 1998
Main article: French regional elections, 1998In the 1998 elections, she was included in the FN list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and was a regional councillor for six years (1998–2004).
Île-de-France in 2004
Main article: French regional elections, 2004In the 2004 elections, she led the FN regional list in Île-de-France and the departmental list in Hauts-de-Seine.
Her list polled 12.26% (448,983 votes) in the first round and achieved 10.11% (395,565 votes) with fifteen councillors elected in the run-off.
Le Pen led the regional group for five years, stepping down in February 2009 to concentrate on the European election campaign in the North-West France constituency. A member of the standing committee, she led opposition to the left-wing regional executive managed by Jean-Paul Huchon.
Nord-Pas-de-Calais in 2010
Main article: French regional elections, 2010In the 2010 elections, Marine Le Pen led the FN regional list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the departmental list in Pas-de-Calais.
In the first round, her list polled 18.31% (224.871 votes) and finished in third position in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 19.81% (96,556 votes), ahead of the UMP (15.91%, 77,550 votes), and won by a large margin in Hénin-Beaumont (39.08%, 2,949 votes). Le Pen's list achieved the second-highest result of FN regional lists in the country, behind her father Jean-Marie Le Pen's list in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, which received 20.30% (296,283 votes). In Pas-de-Calais, she received a higher share of the vote than Jean-Marie Le Pen had received in the first round of the 2002 presidential election (18.41%, 135,330 votes).
In the run-off, her list polled 22.20% (301,190 votes) in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, finishing in third position. Eighteen FN councillors were elected among the 113 of Nord-Pas-de-Calais' regional council. Le Pen's list had the second highest vote share of FN regional lists in France, behind Jean-Marie Le Pen's list which received 22.87% (387,374 votes) with 21 councillors elected. In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 24.37% (130,720 votes), finishing ahead of the UMP (22.63%, 121,365 votes), and achieved its highest municipal results in Hénin-Beaumont (44.23%, 3,829 votes) and Courcelles-lès-Lens (40.60%). Her list achieved the second-highest departmental FN result in the country behind Vaucluse (26.54%). Her regional vote share and the vote share in Pas-de-Calais were higher than those of Jean-Marie Le Pen in the run-off of the 2002 presidential election (21.89%, 445,357 votes; 22.17%, 170,967 votes).
Le Pen's success in these elections reinforced her internal position within the FN. As a member of the standing committee and a president of the regional group (Front National/Gathering for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais), she led opposition to the left-wing regional executive managed by Daniel Percheron.
Municipal elections
Hénin-Beaumont in 2008
Main article: French municipal elections, 2008Since 2001, Gérard Dalongeville has been the Mayor of Hénin-Beaumont, an economically deprived town in a former coal mining area.
A municipal councillor since 1995, Steeve Briois led the FN list with Marine Le Pen in second position. The FN list came second with 28.53% (3,650 votes) in the first round and achieved 28.83% (3,630 votes) with five councillors elected in the run-off.
Following the election, Briois and Le Pen sat in opposition against the re-elected mayor Gérard Dalongeville and his first vice-mayor Marie-Noëlle Lienemann.
2009 Hénin-Beaumont by-election
Main article: 2009 municipal by-election in Hénin-BeaumontA municipal by-election was held in Hénin-Beaumont on 28 June and 5 July 2009. As in 2008, Steeve Briois was the FN top candidate with Le Pen in second position.
The FN list led by a large margin after the first round, with 39.33% (4,485 votes), and received 47.62% (5,504 votes) in the run-off, with eight councillors elected, though the FN again failed to win the municipality.
Briois, Le Pen and the six other FN councillors formed the opposition against the new mayor Daniel Duquenne and his successor Eugène Binaisse.
On 24 February 2011, Le Pen resigned as a municipal councillor because of the law on the accumulation of mandates ("cumul des mandats"). In a letter entitled "I stay in Hénin-Beaumont!", she expressed the view that her political activities would be more effective for the city at regional and European levels than in the municipal council.
Political mandates
Local mandates
- Regional councillor of Nord-Pas-de-Calais: (15 March 1998 – 28 March 2004); since 26 March 2010: member of the standing committee, leader of the FN group.
- Regional councillor of Île-de-France (28 March 2004 – 21 March 2010): member of the standing committee, leader of the FN group until February 2009.
- Municipal councillor of Hénin-Beaumont (23 March 2008 – 24 February 2011).
European mandates
Member of the European Parliament in the Île-de-France constituency (20 July 2004 – 13 July 2009): Non-Inscrits (20 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/14 November 2007 – 13 July 2009); Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty (15 January 2007 – 13 November 2007).
- Member: Committee on Culture and Education (21 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/15 January 2007 – 30 January 2007), Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (31 January 2007 – 13 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Israel (15 September 2004 – 13 March 2007/14 March 2007 – 13 July 2009)
- Substitute: Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (21 July 2004 – 14 January 2007/31 January 2007 – 13 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand (15 March 2007 – 13 July 2009)
Member of the European Parliament in the North-West France constituency: Non-Inscrits (14 July 2009 – 16 June 2015); ENF
- Member: Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (since 16 July 2009), Delegation to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (since 16 September 2009)
- Substitute: Committee on International Trade (since 16 July 2009), Delegation for relations with Canada (16 September 2009 – 14 November 2010)
Bibliography
- À contre flots, Jacques Grancher, 2006 ISBN 2-7339-0957-6 (autobiography) (in French)
- Pour que vive la France, Jacques Grancher, 2012, 260 pages (in French)
Notes
- Served as acting presidents Jean-François Jalkh, from 25 April 2017 to 28 April 2017, Steeve Briois, from 28 April 2017 to 15 May 2017, and Jordan Bardella, from 13 September 2021 to 5 November 2022.
References
- "Macron's far-right rival, Le Pen, reaches all-time high in presidential second-round vote poll". Reuters. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- "Far-right Leader Le Pen Has Never Been So Powerful in France". Bloomberg.com. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
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External links
- Official website
- Fan Club of Marine Le Pen in France Archived 12 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine
- Profile on the European Parliament's official website
- Cross, Tony (4 May 2012) . "Has Marine Le Pen Made France's Front National Respectable?". RFI English. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
Party political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded byJean-Marie Le Pen | Leader of the National Front 2011–present |
Incumbent |
National Front nominee for President of France 2012 • 2017 • 2022 |
Most recent | |
New office | Chair of Europe of Nations and Freedom 2015–2017 Served alongside: Marcel de Graaff |
Succeeded byNicolas Bay |
European Parliament | ||
New constituency | Member of the European Parliament for Île-de-France 2004–2009 |
Succeeded byPervenche Berès |
Preceded byCarl Lang | Member of the European Parliament for North-West France 2009–2017 |
Succeeded byChristelle Lechevalier |
National Assembly of France | ||
Preceded byPhilippe Kemel | Member of the French National Assembly for Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency 2017–present |
Incumbent |
Candidates in the 2022 French presidential election | |
---|---|
Winner | |
Lost in runoff | |
Other candidates |
Candidates in the 2017 French presidential election | |
---|---|
Winner | |
Lost in runoff | |
Other candidates |
Candidates in the 2012 French presidential election | |
---|---|
Winner | |
Lost in runoff |
|
Other candidates |
Jean-Marie Le Pen | |
---|---|
Organisations |
|
Books |
|
Family |
|
- Marine Le Pen
- 1968 births
- Living people
- 20th-century French lawyers
- Candidates in the 2012 French presidential election
- Candidates in the 2017 French presidential election
- Candidates in the 2022 French presidential election
- Critics of Islamism
- Deputies of the 15th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic
- French anti-communists
- French nationalists
- French Christian Zionists
- French critics of Islam
- French feminists
- French people of Breton descent
- French Roman Catholics
- Feminist critics of feminism
- 20th-century French women lawyers
- Le Pen family
- MEPs for Île-de-France 2004–2009
- MEPs for North-West France 2009–2014
- MEPs for North-West France 2014–2019
- 21st-century women MEPs for France
- National Rally MEPs
- Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas University alumni
- Politicians from Neuilly-sur-Seine
- Women members of the National Assembly (France)
- Right-wing populism in France
- Right-wing populists
- Women opposition leaders
- Members of the Regional Council of Hauts-de-France
- Deputies of the 16th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic
- Members of Parliament for Pas-de-Calais
- Candidates for the 2007 French legislative election
- Deputies of the 17th National Assembly of the French Fifth Republic