France's far-right leader Jordan Bardela criticized soccer star Kylian Mbappe for his appeal to young people to vote against "extremities" in the parliamentary elections this month, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
"I have a lot of respect for our footballers, whether it's Marcus Thuram or Kylian Mbappe, who are icons in football and icons for the youth…, but we have to respect the French, we have to respect everyone's voice," said Bardella on SeNews television.
"When you're lucky enough to have a very, very big salary, when you're a multi-millionaire… then I'm a little embarrassed to see how these athletes… teach lessons to people who can no longer make ends meet, who no longer feel safe, who can't afford to live in neighborhoods that are over-protected by security agents," he added.
France captain Mbappe, who is hugely popular, told a press conference on Sunday ahead of France's Euro 2024 team's first match that "extremities are knocking on the doors of power". Striker Marcus Thuram had earlier called on people to "fight daily" to prevent the "National Assembly" party from of Bardella to come to power. Mbappe did not mention the "National Team" but said he supports the same values and position as Thuram.
Following President Emmanuel Macron's shock decision to dissolve parliament, Bardella's Eurosceptic and anti-migration party will get its first real chance to win national power in elections on June 30 and July 7, according to Reuters. Public opinion polls have consistently given first place to the "National Assembly".