French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a terse acknowledgement of Jean-Marie Le Pen’s significant role in French society – but withheld any further assessment of his legacy.
“As a historical figure of the far right, he played a role in the public life of our country for almost 70 years that is now subject to the judgement of history,” Macron said in a message released by his official residence, the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The announcement was extremely brief compared to those marking the deaths of other prominent figures.
Le Pen died at the age of 96, media reported on Tuesday, citing his family. In 1972, he co-founded the far-right National Front, which has since been renamed National Rally.
