The calls from the footballer Kylian Mbappé to vote against the "extremes," which would include the far-right of Marine Le Pen, have not been well received at all within National Rally, from where they have asked the captain of the French national team for "a little restraint" and not to give "political lessons" because it is not his place.
The first to speak out against Mbappé was the vice president of National Rally, Sébastien Chenu, who believes that "when one has the honor of wearing the French team's shirt" in the Eurocup, "one must exercise some restraint."
Furthermore, he believes that "many" sympathizers of the far right led by Le Pen "do not expect political lessons from him," although he admits that "he has the right to have an opinion", although it seems that not to express it publicly.
"I don't believe that people I consider disconnected from political life should come to give lessons to the French," Chenu continued just one day after Mbappé warned that France faces a "crucial" moment in the upcoming legislative elections on June 30 and July 7 and defended "the values of tolerance, diversity and respect" against the "extremes".
The spokesperson for National Rally, Laurent Jacobelli, has also referred to these words and has reinterpreted them in his own way, even asserting that he is "right". "I don't feel targeted, nor does our party, by the term extreme," he said this Monday on Franceinfo.
Mbappé's words
"The extremes are at the doors of power and we have the opportunity to choose the future. I call on all young people to go out and vote. We need to identify with diversity and tolerance, respect," said the footballer this Sunday at a press conference during the Eurocup, although he never mentioned any politician or party by name. Only those from Le Pen's National Rally have taken offense.
"We know that it is a crucial moment for the history of France, an event unprecedented," he continued. "We are a generation that can make a difference, we can see that the extremes are calling at the door of power and we have the opportunity to shape the future of our country," he added.
Mbappé, a "role model"
A completely opposite opinion comes from Macron's government. The Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, who is seeking re-election in the legislative elections, has stated that Mbappé is "doing his part" and has advocated for the ability of these types of figures to be a "role model" for young people.
In this sense, he stated in RTL that Mbappé limited himself to defending "a civic duty which is voting" and expressly praised that he took a stand against extremism, as he believes they foster "division and hatred".
Now, Attal hopes "that young people review the programs, the ideas (of each party) and speak out" at the polls with all surveys predicting a victory for Marine Le Pen's far-right,