Mbappé says France election results are ‘catastrophic’ as the far right gets closer to power

Soccer Football – Coupe de France – Final – Olympique Lyonnais v Paris St Germain – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France – May 25, 2024 Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron after winning the Coupe de France REUTERS/Catherine Steenkeste

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — France soccer captain Kylian Mbappé said the election results in his nation were “catastrophic” as it lurches closer to a first far-right government since World War II.

The National Rally gained strong results — around 33 percent of the vote nationwide — in the first round of a rushed election. The second round of the legislative elections are on Sunday, with Marine Le Pen’s party poised to potentially gain power.

WATCH: What’s next for France after far-right wins big in 1st round of snap elections

Mbappé said on Thursday that people needed to go out to vote “now, more than ever” because it was a “pressing” situation.

“We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people,” he said through a translator.

Mbappé was speaking ahead of France’s match against Portugal in the European Championship quarterfinals in Hamburg on Friday.

Left:
Soccer Football – Coupe de France – Final – Olympique Lyonnais v Paris St Germain – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France – May 25, 2024 Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron after winning the Coupe de France REUTERS/Catherine Steenkeste