🔗 Share this article

While he arrived at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader published a declaration overflowing with opposition via social media, stating, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary will eventually give its view the veracity of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to secure prohibited donations from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader holds a almost king-like position, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

In an era when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the extent where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. According to a survey issued recently, a majority of participants stated that they thought a most of government figures were dishonest, and almost 90% reported that most acted mainly out of individual benefit. When convicting the former president and directing that his incarceration should commence promptly, the court official, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be seen as ordinary, particularly since that Mr Sarkozy has previously been found guilty in other graft trials. Yet the former president's case and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the extent to which within the nation, as in different nations, the legal system is endangered by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision last month, the former president publicly criticized his judgment as illegal and censured the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. Since senior politicians and supporters from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and right-leaning media with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Public Response

Reassuringly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found significant majorities endorsing both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his punishment. However the turmoil, and the obvious try to weaken the standing of the legal system, was most probably only a preliminary test. Next year, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a judgment for misuse of campaign money will take place. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be excluded from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to navigate. The former president may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system at all stages of his trial have established a harmful example.