French Far-Right Patriarch Le Pen Hospitalized
The elderly founder of France's far-right National Front, Jean-Marie Le Pen, was hospitalized on Thursday for what he said was a "small heart problem", just days after a bitter spat with his daughter.
"Everything is fine, I am in my bed. It gives me an opportunity to rest. It is a small heart problem, nothing serious," he told AFP.
A party source had earlier linked the hospital visit to stress from a highly publicized political blow-up with his daughter and party chief Marine Le Pen, saying it was related to recent "emotional shocks".
Known for his hair-raising comments, Jean-Marie vexed his daughter by reiterating his long-held view that the Nazi gas chambers were merely a "detail of history" and making other controversial remarks.
"He's really pissing me off," was the reported response of Marine who launched a media blitz against her dad last week.
The 86-year-old eventually pulled out of upcoming regional elections, anointing his granddaughter Marion Marechal-Le Pen to take his place.
He is also facing disciplinary action from the party.
Under Marine Le Pen, who has tried to clean up the party's racist image since taking over the reins in 2011, the FN has enjoyed a series of election successes, notably coming first in last year's European elections.
Source: Agence France Presse
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