French officials have condemned jubilant street celebrations following the death of far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, urging dignity after hundreds gathered in major cities to mark Tuesday’s passing of the controversial National Front founder.
The government struck a measured tone in response to the death of Le Pen, who was expelled from his own party after repeatedly denying the Holocaust – with Prime Minister François Bayrou describing him as a “fighter” and a “figure of French political life”.
Impromptu parties that broke out in several cities quickly drew sharp criticism.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing justifies dancing on a corpse," said Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. "The death of a man, even if he is a political opponent, should inspire only restraint and dignity. These scenes of jubilation are deeply disgraceful.”
Scenes in Paris, Lyon, Marseille
In the French capital, several hundred demonstrators converged on Place de la République, with some climbing the square's central statue and chanting anti-fascist slogans and lighting smoke bombs.
One placard in the crowd read: “That filthy racist is dead.”
Around 200 to 300 gathered in Lyon, reportedly at the invitation of extreme-left groups, where fireworks were set off, while in Marseille protesters displayed signs reading "Finally" as they opened bottles of champagne.
While those gatherings were mostly peaceful, police in Strasbourg intervened to disperse around 200 demonstrators.
Far-right National Front founder Jean-Marie Le Pen dies aged 96
Reactions were more nuanced in Marseille's Saint Barnabé neighbourhood, a National Rally stronghold – an indication of the deep divisions over Le Pen's legacy.
"May he rest in peace. He lived 96 years. You have to admit he was a character – although there were some some slip-ups that I didn't like," Jeannot, 64, told RFI at a local cafe.
Forty-year-old National Rally voter Vincent, who lives in the neighbourhood, said: "He's a man who left his mark on my youth and my adult life because he shaped the political landscape. Even if we don't agree with him, we have to acknowledge that he had the strength of character to defend France as he saw it."
Defining figure
Le Pen, who founded the National Front in 1972 and led it until 2011, became a defining figure of the far right in France.
Convicted multiple times for hate speech, including comments dismissing the Holocaust as “merely a detail of history”, his political career was marred by controversy.
Le Pen’s rhetoric often attracted fierce opposition and widespread protests, particularly during his surprise run-off in the 2002 presidential election.
After taking over the party’s leadership, his daughter Marine Le Pen expelled him in an effort to rebrand the movement and distance it from his extremist image. The party was renamed the National Rally.
Jean-Marie Le Pen passed away on Tuesday in a health facility near Paris.
A private service is planned in the capital, followed by burial on Saturday in his hometown of La Trinité-sur-Mer, in Brittany.
