THE TELEGRAPH: Jean-Marie Le Pen, the veteran French far-right leader, has indicated he will step [down] as leader of the National Front party, probably next year.
The 81-year old firebrand has led the FN party since 1972 and long pledged only to vacate his post "feet first".
But in an interview on Tuesday, Mr Le Pen said he was "not eternal" and that it was "probable" he would not run in the 2012 presidential election.
"It's reasonable to hand over to young people to allow the FN to continue," he said on France 2, the state TV channel. He would probably step down "in 2011 or 2010," he added. >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Tuesday, September 08, 2009
