Thousands of protesters have gathered in Paris to demonstrate against French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Marchers described Saturday's event as a "No Sarkozy Day."

The French leader is facing a drop in support after his governing center-right coalition suffered a comprehensive defeat in last Sunday's local elections.

He has been planning a major overhaul of the country's pension system, including raising the retirement age and also needs to rein in France's public deficit, which is expected to reach 8.2 percent of its gross domestic product in 2010.

Sarkozy could find both efforts more difficult if his bloc's political losses undermine public support for change in the eurozone's second biggest economy. Some protesters say Sarkozy's policies are "always for the ones who have everything already."

A man demonstrates as part of a nationwide day of protest entitled 'No Sarkozy Day' against French President Nicolas Sarkozy's policies, in Paris, Saturday March 27, 2010. [CCTV]