France skipper Mbappé urges youths to vote in upcoming parliamentary elections

Paul Myers

17 June 2024 at 6:40 am·2-min read

France football team skipper Kylian Mbappé urged young people in his country to fight off their suspicions or apathy and vote in the forthcoming parliamentary elections to combat what he called the "extremes at the gates of power".

Mbappé, 25, made the call as the France squad were undergoing final preparations for their opening game in Group D on Monday night against Austria at the 2024 European championships in Germany.

"I know that there are quite a few young people who say: 'Yes, but one vote won't change anything.' On the contrary, every vote counts and that's something that shouldn't be overlooked," said Mbappé.

"Today, we can see very clearly that the extremes are at the gates of power and we have the opportunity to choose the future of our country.

"We know that we're at a very important moment in our country's history, in an unprecedented situation.

"So that's why I really want to address all the French people and especially the younger generation. I think we are a generation that can make a difference.

Diversity, tolerance, respect

"I hope that my voice will carry as much weight as possible," he added. "Because we need to identify with this country, we need to identify with our values, which are values of diversity, tolerance and respect."

On 9 June, French president Emmanuel Macron decided to hold a snap general election after the far-right National Rally (RN) party made huge gains in the polls for the European parliament.

"After today, I cannot act as if nothing had happened," Macron told viewers in a prime-time address to the nation.

Among those who signed are tennis players Yannick Noah and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and athlete Marie-José Pérec.

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Diversity, tolerance, respect

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