Mbappe "Stop the Far-Right" vs French Far-Right Leader "Rich People Should Know Their Place"

Kylian Mbapp?, captain of the French national football team, appealed to "stop the far-right" in the first round of the early French parliamentary elections scheduled for the 30th (local time). However, Jordan Bardella, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), criticized him as hypocritical, pointing out that he is a 'millionaire.'

In an interview with the French daily newspaper Le Parisien on the 18th, Bardella said of Mbapp?, "I respect him," but also pointed out, "It is uncomfortable for a millionaire who does not have financial difficulties to preach to the French people who are in great distress."

Captain of the French national football team Kylian Mbappe
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

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Earlier, Mbapp? made an unusually political statement at a press conference two days ago. He said, "We clearly see extremism at the door of power," and urged, "Every young person who has the opportunity to choose the country's future must vote."

He also added, "I hope to proudly wear this uniform again on the 7th of next month (the scheduled date for the second round of the parliamentary elections)." France, which has adopted a two-round voting system for presidential and parliamentary elections, holds the first vote on the 30th, and the final winner is decided in the second round on the 7th of the following month.

Bardella also strongly criticized, saying, "I didn't know that the French national team uniform was the uniform of the French government." This is interpreted as meaning that Mbapp?, a member of the national football team, is defending the current ruling party.

Jordan Bardella, Leader of the National Rally
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

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One of the key pledges of the RN led by Bardella is to abolish "jus soli," which grants nationality to foreigners born on French soil if they meet certain conditions. They also plan to urgently submit a bill to the National Assembly to limit state medical support for illegal immigrants to "major emergency situations" only.

If these bills pass the National Assembly, it may become difficult for second-generation African immigrants, including Mbapp?, to acquire French nationality in the future.

Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron decided to dissolve the parliament and hold early elections after his Renaissance party suffered a crushing defeat in the European Parliament elections held from the 6th to the 9th. However, in several current polls in France, RN's support rate is around 35%, leading the race.

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