The power struggle between Front National founder Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine continues as a court upholds his suspension from the party
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Former far-right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen has lost his appeal against his explusion from the party he founded as the bitter power struggle with his daughter and current party leader Marine continues.
Le Pen senior was barred from the party over two years ago for a series of statements considered a liability to the party's image.
These included repeating a remark that Nazi gas chambers were a 'detail' in history.
The court did confirm the 89-year-old can retain the status of party president for life. But this small victory may be short-lived as the party leadership hopes to eliminate the position at a party congress next month.
The congress is also expected to vote on a new name for the National Front in a final break with the party's past.
The elder Le Pen anointed his daughter to succeed him in 2011 but has since said he's unhappy with some of her decisions.
Marine Le Pen was runner-up in last year's French presidential election but she suffered a resounding loss to Emmanuel Macron, and her party is now in a tailspin.