Defeated French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen claimed a “massive” result for the far right in Sunday’s presidential run-off against centrist Emmanuel Macron - but admitted that her National Front (FN) party had to undergo major change.
Separately, the FN’s deputy leader, Florian Philippot, said the party would alter its name as it sought to transform itself into a “new political force.”
And in signs of a possibly wrenching internal debate about the future, Le Pen’s powerful niece - long rumoured to be a potential successor - said the election result had been somewhat disappointing and “reflection” was needed.
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Le Pen’s firebrand father, Jean-Marie, meanwhile warned the party he founded had to “remain true” to its core principles.
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Estimates showed Macron winning 65-66.1 per cent of the vote compared with 35-33.9 per cent for Le Pen.
A file photo taken last July shows Marine Le Pen (left) and her niece, National Front member of parliament Marion Marechal-Le Pen, who said her aunt’s defeat in Sunday’s French presidential election demanded “reflection”. Photo: AFP
