PARIS - Incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for a new French model based on hard work and entrepreneurship, battling to catch up with Socialist challenger Francois Hollande in the final countdown to Sunday's election runoff.

The right-wing president promised a new social model where "work will be enhanced through training, innovation and investment," as well as a new model of capitalism where "everyone is rewarded for his efforts and profits are shared", while addressing hundreds of thousands of cheering supporters packed at the Trocadero square in Paris on Tuesday, or the May Day.

Traditionally in Paris, and also across Europe, the May Day is always dominated by mass marches of trade unions. Sarkozy, however, is trying to gain some momentum as all polls have forecast that Hollande will defeat him comfortably on Sunday.

Up to 200,000 people have been estimated by organizers to come and support Sarkozy, enthusiastically waving French national flags and chanting "we are going to win." Some of them traveled all the way from other parts of the country.

Also on Tuesday afternoon, the French trade union movements with a claimed number of 250,000 people marched to the capital's Place de la Bastille, demonstrating support towards the frontrunner Hollande.

Hollande himself was outside Paris on Tuesday attending a memorial event for former Prime Minister Pierre Beregovoy, who killed himself on the same day of 1993.

There remained three days to explain, convince and drive, Sarkozy said at the end of the 40-minute speech, referring to the rest working days of this week prior to Sunday's runoff.