Far-right leader Le Pen to attend Brigitte Bardot's funeral / Photo: Thomas SAMSON - AFP
Far-right leader Le Pen to attend Brigitte Bardot's funeral
France's three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is to attend the funeral next week of 1950s and 1960s film star Brigitte Bardot, a member of her team said Tuesday.
President Emmanuel Macron -- who on Sunday hailed Bardot as a "legend" -- would however not attend her funeral, a source in his office said.
Bardot, who died aged 91 on Sunday, drew criticism in her later years for her anti-immigration views and for supporting the far right.
She was several times convicted in court for hate speech, including against Muslims.
The animal welfare advocate backed Le Pen when she ran for president in 2012 and 2017, describing her as a modern "Joan of Arc" who could save the country.
The presidency has offered Bardot's family to hold a national homage for her, but they have not responded, the source in Macron's office added.
Conservative politician Eric Ciotti has called for a national farewell to the blonde screen icon of the New Wave, like the one organised in 2018 for French rock star Johnny Hallyday.
But many on the left are against the idea.
Socialist party leader Olivier Faure opposed it, especially as he said Bardot "was several times convicted of racism".
Bardot's animal foundation has said her funeral in a church in her southern hometown of Saint-Tropez on January 7 would be followed by a private burial, but has not said where.
The former actor said in 2018 she wished to be buried in her garden, to avoid a "crowd of idiots" trampling on the tombs of her parents and grandparents.
Saint-Tropez mayor Sylvie Siri told local media Bardot's final wishes had been respected, but provided no further details.
Bardot's fourth husband, Bernard d'Ormale, was an advisor of late far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, whose daughter Marine then took over his party.
Le Pen may be barred from a fourth run for the Elysee in 2027 due to a graft conviction.
But her National Rally party sees its best chance ever to win the presidency in the upcoming polls, with Macron stepping down after two consecutive terms.
Le Pen's appeal trial in the corruption case starts in January.
D.Bruno--PV
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