Just nine days after the European Parliament elections, the body is already mourning its first loss.
National Rally (RN) MEP Nathaly Antona, the first woman from Corsica to be elected to the EP, died on June 18 at the age of 49.
The MEP was 24th on the list led by RN President Jordan Bardella for the June 9 vote.
“It is with great sadness that we learned of this terrible news,” Bardella wrote on X.
“The National Rally is in mourning and joins in the pain of her family and loved ones. I send my warmest thoughts to all those who worked alongside her.”
C'est avec une grande tristesse que nous avons appris cette terrible nouvelle.
Le Rassemblement National est en deuil et s'associe à la douleur de sa famille et de ses proches. J'adresse mes pensées les plus chaleureuses à tous ceux qui ont oeuvré à ses côtés. https://t.co/ZpA9S5buG2
— Jordan Bardella (@J_Bardella) June 18, 2024
RN’s flagship parliamentarian Marine Le Pen described Antona as “a tireless activist for the national cause, driven by conviction and ardent patriotism”.
“In the political fight as well as in the face of illness, she demonstrated admirable courage and tenacity,” she said.
“The movement today loses one of its loyal activists on the Isle of Beauty.
“All my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Nathaly Antona qui venait d’être élue députée européenne du RN était une militante infatigable de la cause nationale, animée d’une conviction et d’un patriotisme ardent. Dans le combat politique comme face à la maladie, elle a fait preuve d’un courage et d’une ténacité admirable.…
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) June 18, 2024
Antona, who was married but had no children, had been struggling with an unspecified illness for weeks, though continued to campaign for RN in the EP elections nonetheless.
Before becoming a senior figure with RN in Corsica she was an English teacher for 15 years. Antona was also an environmentalist with a strong interest in animal well-being.
André Rougé, who was 31st on RN’s list, is now set to take her MEP spot.
