By Shweta Desai

PARIS 

The French turned out in large numbers Saturday to oppose the extreme right and outgoing President Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in the final round of presidential elections.

Nearly 22,000 participated in about 50 rallies, including 9,200 in Paris alone, according to a FranceInfo report, citing Interior Ministry data.

Demonstrations were held under the slogan: “Neither Le Pen, nor Macron” which is fast becoming a trend one week before the final round of the election. Protesters expressed discontent about the two finalists and called for mass abstention on April 24.

Protestors were seen holding banners that said: “All Against Macron,” “The young (expletive) on National Rally,” “Against the extreme right,” “Insecurity is hate at the Elysee,” and “Better a vote that stinks than a vote that kills.”

Police blocked metro stations in Paris to control protesters with signs and banners from joining the rallies.

Officials denied permission for the rallies in several cities with officials anticipating violence and disturbance of the public order.

The rallies were organized by trade and workers unions and civil society associations like the League of Human Rights, SOS Racism, Syndicate of the Judiciary and the National Trade Union Center (CGT).

Demonstrations emerged after the results of the first round of elections April 10 that qualified Macron and Le Pen for the final round.

There is widespread anger toward the candidates for encouraging right-wing ideology, hatred and violence.

Agitated student associations at several universities blocked campuses this week and are mobilizing campaigns to “oppose the hatred and fascism that are at the gates of the Elysee.”

Le Pen described the protests as deeply anti-democratic.

Analysts estimate if there is mass abstention in the final round it will adversely affect Macron's chances of being re-elected and can tilt votes in Le Pen's favor.

Currently, voting intentions for Macron are at 55% and 44% for Le Pen, according to a BFMTV poll.