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While he made his way at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader shared a statement brimming with defiance via social media, asserting, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation entering prison today, it's an innocent man." An appellate court is set to decide regarding the veracity of his claim. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and importance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Legal Judgment

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to acquire illicit campaign funds from the government of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Handed a five-year sentence, he has been recorded as the pioneering past president of an EU member state to enter prison, and the earliest French head of state since the disgraced head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the elected president enjoys a almost king-like position, the recent unprecedented scene was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. According to a survey issued this week, two-thirds of respondents said that they believed a most of government figures were corrupt, and almost 90% reported that many operated primarily out of individual benefit. In sentencing the former president and directing that his prison term should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, especially given that the ex-president has before been found guilty in other graft trials. However the former president's case and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the extent to which within the nation, as in various states, the legal system is threatened by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and political retaliation. After the verdict in September, the ex-leader openly condemned his punishment as invalid and condemned the "hostility" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. Since prominent officials and supporters from the traditional and radical have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the identical arguments, the judge has been subjected to various menaces.

Societal Feedback

Reassuringly, the population largely rejects this narrative. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. However the spectacle, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the legal system, was in all likelihood merely a dress rehearsal. In January, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will occur. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from participating in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to navigate. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit before his own appeal, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. However the unfounded and damaging assaults on the legal system throughout his proceedings have created a negative standard.