The ‘grey zone’ of Vichy France: Understanding Marine Le Pen’s latest comments on the Second World War

The leader of the Front National, Marine Le Pen, has generated controversy in April 2017 during the 2017 French Presidential Election campaign by denying French responsibility for the persecution of Jews during the Second World War.

Hugh Mcdonnell examines the ‘grey zone’ of French collaboration with the German occupation, writing that Le Pen’s comments contrast strikingly with previous efforts to ‘detoxify’ her party.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key source: France Presidential Election 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2017/

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Is Le Pen showing her true colours? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/177617/is-le-pen-showing-her-true-colours

France24, 12.04.17: France’s role in deporting Jews: The changing political views over 70 years http://www.france24.com/en/20170411-france-role-deporting-jews-political-stances-through-70-years

The Local.fr, 10.04.17: Le Pen compared to her father for her comments on WWII roundup of Jews https://www.thelocal.fr/20170410/israel-condemns-le-pen-comments-roundup-of-jews-in-wwii

ESO: Background information: What a Le Pen Win Would Look Like for France and the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-a-le-pen-win-would-look-like-for-france-and-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: A few reasons why Le Pen could win the French presidential election, and a few more why she’ll still fall short http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-few-reasons-why-le-pen-could-win-the-french-presidential-election-and-a-few-more-why-shell-still-fall-short/

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