French footballers, shocked by the European vote, underline the importance of the vote

Players and staff of the French national team, who will likely still be in Germany for Euro 2024 when their country goes to the polls later this month, have been making arrangements to vote, with some expressing concern over at the right turn of the country.

President Emmanuel Macron called for early elections after his party’s defeat in last Sunday’s European elections. From June 30 to July 7, French voters will go to the polls to elect a new Parliament.

France’s group stage, with matches against Austria, the Netherlands and Poland, concludes on June 30. But the Blues are considered favorites to reach the round of 16, with many predicting the team will win Euro 2024, with the final in Berlin. set for July 14.

The daily Le Parisien reports that nearly 40 members of the French team and management staff wish to exercise their right to appoint a proxy – such as a member of their family – to vote for them at the polling station.

Concerns about France’s right turn

Some, including Marcus Thuram of Serie A champions Inter Milan, have expressed concern about the current political climate in France.

Macron’s party received just under 15%, compared to more than 31% for the right-wing National Rally party.

Thuram learned of the European election result after the friendly match between France and Canada, he said at a press conference in Paderborn on Saturday.

“We were all a bit shocked in the locker room,” he said. “The situation in France is sad, it’s serious.”

Paris Saint-Germain winger Ousmane Dembélé also stressed the importance of the vote. He said he read that one in two French people did not vote in the European elections.

“We need to mobilize them to vote,” he said.

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud made a similar speech: “If I had to give advice to the French, it would be to go and vote. An abstention rate of almost 50% is not normal,” he said. he declares.

According to figures from the European Parliament, 51.5% of registered voters actually voted in France.