The French left gets pissy again.

PARIS — 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 Rome 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 Rome. 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.

I don’t know why anyone has a problem with this one. If you let someone in to your country and they then process to shoot at cops or try to firebomb a squad car, by all means throw them out.