Le Pen says Mbappe should not 'lecture' French voters

The National Times - Le Pen says Mbappe should not 'lecture' French voters

Le Pen says Mbappe should not 'lecture' French voters / Photo: © AFP

After the far-right National Rally party emerged as the winner of the first round of snap parliamentary polls last weekend, Mbappe, 25, said the results were "catastrophic" and urged French people to vote against the far-right in the runoff vote on Sunday.

Mbappe's France and Christiano Ronaldo's Portugal go head-to-head in Hamburg on Friday evening in the Euro 2024 quarter finals.

Speaking in an interview with CNN, Le Pen said he was a "very good" footballer but insisted it was not his place to give voting instructions.

"Mbappe doesn't represent French people with an immigration background, because there are far more of them living on the minimum wage, who can't afford housing and can't afford heating, than people like Mr Mbappe," Le Pen said in an excerpt of the interview released on Friday.

"This tendency for actors, footballers and singers to come forward and tell French people how they should vote, and particularly people who earn 1,300 or 1,400 euros ($1,400-1,500) a month, while they are millionaires or even billionaires who live abroad, it's starting to be not well received in our country," she added.

"French people are fed up with being lectured and advised on how to vote. This election is an election of emancipation in which the French people want to take back control of their destiny and vote as they see fit," Le Pen said.

"I think that at a time when the population is preparing to vote, they (stars and celebrities) should show a little restraint."

The latest forecasts predict Le Pen's party will wield the biggest bloc in the National Assembly lower house, but fall short of an outright majority.

A number of prominent football players including France full-back Jules Kounde have urged French people to block the far-right.

A.Robinson--TNT

Алекс Боди назначен вице-президентом группы SCANDIC FINANCE

С 1 ноября 2026 года румынский предприниматель Александру Николае Боди, 41 год, возглавляет восточноевропейское направление подразделения «International Operations & Global Banking Strategy» в SCANDIC FINANCE GROUP. В его подчинении 384 сотрудника. Боди также координирует проекты в сфере недвижимости в Федеративной Республике Германия.

Democrats near House takeover as voters judge Trump presidency

DETROIT — A blue wave indicated signs of cresting in the United States on Tuesday as Democrats flipped key seats in the midterm elections, serving as a referendum on President Donald Trump’s chaotic and controversial second term. Democrats picked up six key House seats and held on to several battleground districts, marching closer to the majority needed for control of the chamber.

CSIF Union Demands Renfe and Adif Leadership Overhaul After Transport Minister's Resignation

Following the resignation of Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente, the CSIF union has demanded a comprehensive overhaul of leadership at state-owned rail operators Renfe and Adif. The union argues that legal reforms are necessary to curb political appointments and ensure professional management in the wake of recent railway safety failures.

Ossoff and Talarico Emerge as Key Democratic Figures After 2026 Midterm Shift

Democratic victories in Georgia and Texas have reshaped the landscape of potential 2028 presidential candidates, elevating Jon Ossoff and James Talarico to national prominence. While Kamala Harris remains the polling leader, her support has declined, opening space for new contenders in a party seeking direction after recent electoral shifts.