In what many political analysts call a major upset, extreme right-wing candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen finished in second place in yesterday’s primary election in France. Le Pen’s showing qualifies him to face incumbent President Jacques Chirac, in next month’s national election. Chirac received 19.8 percent of the popular vote while Le Pen got 17.2 percent of the vote. Socialist party leader Lionel Jospin came in third with 16 percent. Almost everyone thought that it would be Jospin who would be up against Chirac in the national election. Analysts now believe that yesterday’s primary results should make it far easier for President Chirac to win re-election.
Le Pen who once called the Nazi gas chambers \"a detail in history,\" has run on a political platform promising to curb urban violence and France’s high unemployment rate. Le Pen’s party, called the National Front Party, has been known to blame French immigrants for for the countries economic woes. Many have accused Le Pen of being a racist and an anti-Semite. Demonstrations were held in France following the announced results, with many shouting “Le Pen is a Fascist!” One man held a sign that read, “I cry, I am ashamed to be French.”
Yesterday’s results have French Jewish community leaders concerned. They are shocked that Le Pen was able to earn such a high percentage of the national vote. In recent weeks, there has been an alarming increase in the anti-Semitic climate in France. Officials report that since early April, as many as 10-12 anti-Semitic attacks continue to occur daily throughout France.
Le Pen who once called the Nazi gas chambers \"a detail in history,\" has run on a political platform promising to curb urban violence and France’s high unemployment rate. Le Pen’s party, called the National Front Party, has been known to blame French immigrants for for the countries economic woes. Many have accused Le Pen of being a racist and an anti-Semite. Demonstrations were held in France following the announced results, with many shouting “Le Pen is a Fascist!” One man held a sign that read, “I cry, I am ashamed to be French.”
Yesterday’s results have French Jewish community leaders concerned. They are shocked that Le Pen was able to earn such a high percentage of the national vote. In recent weeks, there has been an alarming increase in the anti-Semitic climate in France. Officials report that since early April, as many as 10-12 anti-Semitic attacks continue to occur daily throughout France.