Abstract
Even though it is not the biggest extreme-right party in Europe, the French National Front finds a particular resonance internationally, considering its long-lasting influence on the national political field. Often wrongly considered as a simple heir of Poujadism, it can no longer be considered as a marginal movement. Poujadism lasted for only five years whereas the FN will celebrate its 37th birthday in 2009. Besides, its electoral results exceed 10% since 1984 which makes it the third largest French political party today.1 According to Dino Cofrancesco, the FN can be defined as “une droite radicale qui ne se reconnaît pas dans la société ouverte et ses institutions et propose un modèle politique et social différent, selon lui plus conforme à la nature humaine que celui existant”.2 More precisely, it should be called neo-populist more than fascist as sometimes asserted, since fascism implies an action outside the law and the electoral system. The FN cannot be considered without its historical leader Jean-Marie Le Pen who has been in charge of the party since the beginning. The oldest candidate in 2007, he is among the few current politicians who participated at the 4th Republic.
The durability and the increasing success of the FN, bring into question the political and social changes that can have made it so strong in the so-called human rights' country.
