It’s the rentrée in France. Tomorrow (September 2), some 12 million pupils go back to school, with two strikes expected to cause disruption next week. Secondary school teachers plan a walk-out on September 6 and September 7 is a national day of protest against the government’s plans to raise the legal retirement age to 62.

And as the politicians return to work after the summer break, there is widespread outrage at President Sarkozy’s policy of expelling Roma (gypsies), and dissent within his own party.

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