Immersed between early legislative elections and the rise of the extreme right, the French community in Madrid unites around its team in the Euro Cup. In the midst of political tensions, football offers a brief respite for a country in the midst of an existential crisis.
In the heart of Madrid, the French community residing in Spain gathers to watch the premiere of his selection at the Euro Cup. Sports competition has been marred by call for legislative elections anticipated after the defeat of President Emmanuel Macron’s party and the victory of the far right.
Among the attendees, Arthur Franzoli, a French expatriate, shares his thoughts. “Through sport, all differences such as politics end“, he assures.
In the center of all eyes, Kylian Mbappéthe star of the national team who has publicly urged his fellow citizens to vote against extremism. “He represents a side, or a part of France; he comes from the ‘suburbs’. And I think that all people in France should be valued,” adds Franzoli.
For Charlotte Charton, another French resident in Madrid, Soccer players are more than athletes; They are role models. “Look, they are examples in the end. And for me, because I share their opinions, obviously I’m fine with it,” she says.
As the French national team fights for victory on the field, soccer matches become one of the few occasions where the French can be seen singing in unison. However, On the 30th they will go to the polls deeply divided.
Start of procedures to vote in Madrid
At the French Consulate in Madrid, dozens of French citizens complete the necessary procedures to cast your vote in a few weeks, a significant moment after the victoriafrom Marine Le Pen’s party in the European elections with more than 30% of the votes.
Oriane Cosker, explains the appeal of the far right. “Some people have been abandoned by both the right and the left, and The only option they see that they have not tried yet is the extreme right“, dice.
Nonetheless, Turnout among French voters in Spain has been notably low in the last European elections, with only 28.7% of the census.
“The goal is to make our vote count. I did it first in the European elections, but now you can see that more people are willing to vote, because we have seen the consequences it had,” says Victor Camus, another French resident.
In the last elections, the party of Raphaël Glucksmann He won the elections in Spain with 21% of the votes. Outside the consulate, Professor Nicolas Rossignol and his colleagues distribute propaganda from the new Popular Front. “We didn’t have much time. They didn’t give us time to mobilize people, but we are trying. We are trying to get more people to vote,” explains Rossignol.
An existential decision on the future of France
Behind the electoral call he hides a significant change in French politics. The Renew party of Macron suffered a resounding defeat in the European elections, securing only 15.2% of the vote compared to 31.5% for the far-right National Rally.
In a five-minute speech posted on social media, President Emmanuel Macron announced the dissolution of the national assemblycalling early elections on June 30 for the first round and July 7 for the second round.
This unprecedented movement, seen as a risky political bet, aims to put the French in the dilemma of choosing what a future political future they want for France.
Marine Le Pen, president of the National Rally group, celebrated the decision. “We are ready to exercise power if the people of France trust us during these future legislative elections,” he declared. For his part, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Insoumise, criticized Macron’s policies and called for a new “direction” for France.
While The French decide the future of their country in these crucial elections, the national team continues its journey in the Euro Cup. For a brief moment, the chants and hopes of seeing Les Bleus win allow them to forget their political differences, at least until the final whistle blows.
