Between extremism and populism

Studying the French National Front (FN) from a historical perspective helps to understand the evolution of the party from extremist positions (proto-fascist anti-Semitic and denialist) to a populist discursive articulation with a notable electoral success. At the same time this historical course serves to illustrate the process of transformation of the France of the Glorious Thirties from relative political stability and economic bonanza to the present time marked by economic and political crises where the FN has found its window of electoral opportunity.