PARIS, Sept 4 (Reuters) - French trade unions protested on Saturday against a clampdown on immigrants, launching a week of action against tightening security and pension reforms on which President Nicolas Sarkozy has staked his political reputation.
Demonstrators opposed to new measures including repatriation of Roma to eastern Europe waved French flags and placards and chanted slogans including "let’s stop repression" and "no to Sarkozy’s inhumane policies".
A column of thousands headed in bright sunshine towards Paris’s city hall, led by Roma. Thousands more rallied in Marseilles, Lyons, Bordeaux and over a hundred other cities.
"This weekend’s demonstrations will be a first indicator of the country’s mood during this turbulent return to work for politicians," the left-leaning Liberation newspaper said in an editorial.
Critics see the expulsions as part of a drive by Sarkozy to revive his popularity before 2012 elections and divert attention from painful pension reforms and spending cuts.
Saturday’s protests also target the revocation of French nationality for immigrants found guilty of attacking police officers.
Sarkozy’s moves have attracted criticism from outside France too.
The President, who says the security measures are needed to combat crime, faces a bigger test on Tuesday when workers hold a nationwide strike and protests over the pension reforms he says are essential to cut the country’s budgetary deficit.
Sarkozy said on Friday he was determined to stand by the reforms, which among other things will raise the retirement age to 62 from 60.
Unions say everything from schools and public transport to telecommunications will be disrupted. The National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, begins debating the pension reforms that day.
