Roma expulsions spark protests

Published on Saturday 4 September 2010 12:23

THOUSANDS of demonstrators gathered in Paris yesterday to protest against new security measures including the repatriation of thousands of Roma to Eastern Europe.

French unions have launched a week of protests that could provide an early measure of resistance to pension reforms on which president Nicolas Sarkozy has staked his political reputation.

Unions and human rights groups gathered to protest against a range of recently introduced security measures. Critics see that action as part of a drive by Sarkozy to revive his popularity before elections later this year and to divert attention from painful pension reforms and spending cuts.

Sarkozy, who says the measures were 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 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 face disruption. The National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, begins debating the pension reforms on the same day.

"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 Libration newspaper said in an editorial.

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. Demonstrations also took place yesterday elsewhere around France and in several other European capitals.

Several unions, including at state railways, are calling for a 24-hour shutdown from 8pm tomorrow over the pension reform plans.

Air France said last week that the strike would affect operations. It said it expected to operate all long-haul flights, 90 per cent of its short- and medium-haul flights from Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport and half of its short- and medium-haul flights from Orly airport.

Unions said on Friday that labour minister Eric Woerth, who has been embroiled in an influence-peddling scandal linked to France's richest woman, the L'Oral shareholder Liliane Bettencourt, was no longer fit to defend the reforms.

Sarkozy said he supported Woerth who has been dogged by revelations from a family feud surrounding the fortune of Bettencourt, regarding allegations of illegal funding of Sarkozy's UMP party and the giving of favours.