Pathways to Power on the Far Right: Elite Recruitment in the French National Front

Abstract

New Right political parties are becoming more important in many advanced industrialized societies. Although much has been written about the issues addressed by these parties, little systematic attention has been paid to the elite composition and recruitment patterns of these important political actors. This study attempts to fill that void by examining the elite composition and recruitment pathways of one of these far right parties, the French National Front. Conclusions are drawn about the primacy of the party's current and only president, Jean‐Marie Le Pen, in acting as the “gatekeeper” to party leadership. In addition, this analysis provides important information about the party's future electoral viability.