On the threshold of France’s inaugural match at Euro 2024, Kylian Mbappe, the esteemed captain of the French national team, issued a rallying cry on Sunday for citizens to exercise their right to vote, cautioning against the rise of “extremes” amidst the far right’s endeavor to ascend to power in the imminent parliamentary elections.
Kylian Mbappe said in press conference
🇫🇷 ALERTE INFO – Kylian Mbappé appelle "tous les jeunes" à "aller voter" : "Les extrêmes sont aux portes du pouvoir. Il faut se mobiliser. Chaque voix compte et j'espère qu'on sera encore fiers de porter le maillot Bleu le 7 juillet". (conf. de presse) pic.twitter.com/yTthzqZlEy
— Mediavenir (@Mediavenir) June 16, 2024
Mbappé, renowned for his leadership on the field, expressed his desire to inspire the youth to recognize the impact of their electoral participation. He deliberately refrained from singling out any specific political figures or factions.
“This is an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history,” Kylian Mbappe articulated via an interpreter. “We belong to a generation that has the potential to enact change. The extremes are on the verge of seizing power, and we possess the chance to mold our nation’s destiny.”
He further emphasized that this issue holds greater significance than their upcoming match against Austria, marking France’s entry into the European Championship. He reassured that engaging in political discourse would not detract from France’s performance in the tournament: “The two are not mutually exclusive.”
Prior to this, the national football federation had appealed to journalists in Germany not to press French players for comments on domestic elections.
The statement emerged shortly before coach Didier Deschamps and Mbappé were scheduled for a press conference on the eve of Les Bleus’ Euro 2024 debut.
The federation affirmed its commitment to free speech and civic duty, endorsing the essential act of voting as a democratic imperative.
“It is crucial to eschew any form of coercion and politicization of the French team,” stated the federation, whose president Philippe Diallo also serves on UEFA’s executive committee.
In response to his far-right adversaries’ recent gains in European parliamentary elections, President Emmanuel Macron has scheduled two rounds of national assembly elections for June 30 and July 7.
