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While he was transported at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a declaration filled with opposition via social media, asserting, "It's not a former president of the republic who is being jailed today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary will eventually rule on the veracity of that statement. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his decline cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

France's leader during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to obtain illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Handed a five-year sentence, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU country to enter prison, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the elected president enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

Public Trust and Legal Accountability

In an era when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. In a poll released this week, over 65% of those surveyed indicated that they felt a most of politicians were corrupt, and the vast majority claimed that most acted mainly out of individual benefit. While judging the former president and directing that his sentence should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she took into account both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."

Legal Challenges

These considerations might be deemed typical, notably because that the ex-president has before been convicted in other graft trials. However the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the degree to which in France, as in various states, the legal system is jeopardized by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been baselessly portrayed by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling in September, the former president publicly criticized his punishment as illegal and decried the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. While high-ranking leaders and supporters from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the same talking points, the judicial figure has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found significant majorities supporting both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his sentencing. But the drama, and the obvious try to weaken the standing of the legal system, was most probably only a preliminary test. During winter, the National Rally figure's court petition against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will be heard. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from participating in the 2027 presidential race.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his lawyers. Yet the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the legal system throughout his trial have established a harmful example.