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In Paris and other French cities the protesters have left the streets. The unions claim 2.5 million people marched against increasing the pension age from 60 to 62. The government put the figure at just over one million. But everyone agrees that the scale of the protests has increased since June.

For President Nicolas Sarkozy his pension plans are a key cost-cutting reform. He has said the basic elements of the proposed law are non-negotiable. After today, there are likely to be further protests and strikes. The expectation is that Mr Sarkozy will eventually get his way, but he will probably have to offer some concessions.

The protests demonstrated the depth of feeling across France against changing pensions. Many protestors told me that they felt raising the pension age challenged the French way of life. Some of the placards read: "Let's refuse austerity plans."

And later this month Mr Sarkozy is expected to announce £35bn of further spending cuts. Now he is likely to reduce costs by ending tax breaks and reducing the numbers of civil servants. What most commentators agree on is that the French people will oppose any fundamental changes to their basic benefits. The president has little room for manoeuvre.

There was further embarrassment for Mr Sarkozy today. Members of the European Parliament attacked France for its plans to deport Roma (Gypsy) migrants. Some MEPs said the policy was "unacceptable". But Mr Sarkozy was spared criticism from the European Commission. The European Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding said she was satisfied by France's explanation for its actions. She said that money was available to help the Roma but "the money is not being used in order to solve the problem".

For the French president these are crucial weeks that may well determine his political future.

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