French national soccer team captain Kylian Mbappé warned Thursday of the “catastrophic” political situation in which his country finds itself, which has never been at greater risk of being led by a far-right government since the Second World War.
Last Sunday, the National Rally obtained an excellent result — about 33% of the vote — in the first round of a snap election, leaving Marine Le Pen’s party in a position to potentially take power. The second round of the legislative elections will take place this Sunday.
Mbappe, one of France’s most popular figures, was asked if he had a message for the nation.
“More than ever, we must go and vote. It is really urgent,” he declared in Hamburg, Germany, on the eve of the match between France and Portugal in the quarter-finals of the European Championship.
“We cannot put the country in the hands of these people, it is really urgent. We have seen the results, it is catastrophic.”
Mbappe had already made a similar call earlier during Euro 2024, saying that “the extremists are knocking on the door of power”.
On Thursday, he again urged his fellow citizens to go to the polls. “We hope that everyone will mobilize and vote for the right side.”
President Emmanuel Macron called the election after losing to the National Rally in European elections last month, betting that the far right would not repeat its success in a national poll.
The plan backfired. Marine Le Pen’s rivals are now desperate to prevent the National Rally from winning an absolute majority in the second round.
French soccer players have been regularly asked about the political situation in their country during Euro 2024 press conferences.
Ousmane Dembele said that “the alarm bell” had been rung. Marcus Thuram went further, saying that the French had to “fight so that the RN does not pass.”
The French team, which last won the Euro in 2000, has often been hailed as a model of diversity and unity.