In the lead-up to France’s crucial parliamentary elections, national football team captain Kylian Mbappé has taken a public stand against the far-right National Rally (RN) party, urging the French youth to exercise their right to vote and to reject extremist ideologies. Mbappé’s call to action follows the RN’s significant win in the European Parliament elections, where they secured 31.37% of the votes, leading President Emmanuel Macron to announce early national assembly elections set for June 30 and July 7. The football star’s comments have sparked a wide array of reactions, with some political figures praising his civic engagement, while others from the RN have criticized him for stepping into political discourse. Mbappé, who is set to join Real Madrid next season, has expressed his concerns about the rise of radicalism and the potential for the far-right to come to power. He has highlighted the values of unity and respect for diversity as fundamental to the French identity he represents on the international stage. The French Football Federation (FFF) has called for neutrality, and the national team’s coach, Didier Deschamps, has given players the freedom to express their opinions. As France prepares for the EURO 2024 in Germany, Mbappé’s statements have underscored the intersection of sports and politics, demonstrating the influential role athletes can play in shaping public discourse and potentially influencing electoral outcomes.
Key points
- Kylian Mbappé urges French youth to vote against far-right extremism in upcoming parliamentary elections.
- Mbappé’s comments follow the National Rally’s victory in European Parliament elections and President Macron’s call for early elections.
- The French football star’s political stance has elicited mixed reactions from political figures and the public.
