PARIS -- French far right symbol Jean-Marie Le Pen has told a French publication that he will not run in upcoming regional elections, standing down in a high-profile feud with his daughter over the future of the National Front party.
Le Figaro on Monday quotes party founder Le Pen as telling its weekly magazine that he wants his granddaughter to assume his candidacy instead. A top party official, Florian Philippot, said on i-Tele television Monday that Le Pen had discussed the decision with party leadership.
Le Pen's daughter Marine has led the anti-immigrant party to electoral successes in recent years and sought to clean up its racist image. Last week she said she opposed her 86-year-old father's candidacy in the regional elections, and wanted him disciplined for anti-Semitic and other offensive remarks.
