In Meyzieu, France, Kheira Vermorel faced political disagreements with her husband ahead of the shock snap elections prompted by President Emmanuel Macron. Despite her past support for Macron, Vermorel was considering voting for the far-right National Rally (RN) this time, seeking change from unfulfilled promises by mainstream politicians. Her decision strained her relationship with her French husband, who opposed the RN’s anti-immigrant stance.
As Sunday’s election approached, Vermorel’s dilemma reflected a broader split among French voters, with the far-right emerging as a frontrunner. Numerous candidates withdrew to form a united front against the RN, sparking debates among centrists and left-wing voters on strategic voting.
Despite the campaign turmoil, volunteers at the market rallied for their candidates, highlighting the complex choices facing voters. The election fervor reflected a deep-rooted societal divide where some opted not to vote, disillusioned by mainstream politics, while others remained determined to reject extreme ideologies for the sake of democracy.