Nicolas Sarkozy has been accused of stigmatising one of France's most marginalised communities as he prepares to hold a meeting at the Elysee Palace tomorrow to discuss tough new strategies for dealing with the Traveller, Gypsy and Roma populations.In a sign that the right-wing president is looking for fresh ways to boost his law and order credentials, Sarkozy announced the meeting last week in a bid to evaluate the situation nationwide and to order "the expulsion of all illegal encampments".After a group of Travellers went on the rampage in the quiet village of Saint Aignan on 18 July - burning cars, attacking the police station and hacking at trees - the president said events had underlined "the problems caused by the behaviour of some Travellers and Roma".
Nicolas Sarkozy has been accused of stigmatising one of France's most marginalised communities as he prepares to hold a meeting at the Elysee Palace tomorrow to discuss tough new strategies for dealing with the Traveller, Gypsy and Roma populations.
In a sign that the right-wing president is looking for fresh ways to boost his law and order credentials, Sarkozy announced the meeting last week in a bid to evaluate the situation nationwide and to order "the expulsion of all illegal encampments".
After a group of Travellers went on the rampage in the quiet village of Saint Aignan on 18 July - burning cars, attacking the police station and hacking at trees - the president said events had underlined "the problems caused by the behaviour of some Travellers and Roma".
