Alwaght- Violent protests have rocked the French capital Paris with trade unions and civil society groups terming today's presidential elections a “political masquerade."
French anti-riot police used tear gas to disperse irate protestors after protesters on Saturday, less than 24 hours before French electorate vote in the first round of the presidential election.
Organized by several French unions, civil rights organizations and student groups, the protesters slammed the presidential elections as a “political masquerade” and rejected the policies presented by the candidates that lead the voting polls.
According to estimates from the organizers, over 2,000 people took part in the protest, which included some 70 groups and organizations.
The protesters, who set off from Place de la Republique and marched towards Place de la Bastille, demanded that more attention be paid to the needs of French society’s lower income people.
The latest polls show indicate increased support for both the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and far-left contender Jean-Luc Melenchon, with a total of eleven candidates battling to go through to the run-off.
Nationalist Ms Le Pen and independent centrist Emmanuel Macron are currently the favourites for the final round, but this election is regarded as one of the most unpredictable in recent history because of fears over Takfiri terrorism coupled with a 10 per cent unemployment rate and a weak economy.
Amid fear of possible further terrorist attacks, the country has deployed over 50,000 police and gendarmes with an additional 7,000 troops.
