Sarkozy's Initial 24 Hours Behind Bars: No Citizen Stands Above Legal Justice

While he made his way at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader shared a statement overflowing with resistance via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the republic entering prison this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal is set to rule on the accuracy of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the turmoil and impact of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, the former president was convicted of criminal conspiracy to obtain illegal financing from the government of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the disgraced head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader possesses a almost king-like position, the recent extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

Citizen Confidence and Legal Accountability

In an era when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the degree where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. In a poll published on Tuesday, a majority of participants said that they believed a large number of politicians were corrupt, and almost 90% claimed that many operated primarily out of self-interest. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his sentence should begin without delay, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."

Legal Challenges

These considerations might be deemed typical, especially given that the ex-president has in the past been sentenced in separate corruption cases. But the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have troublingly exposed the degree to which in France, as in various states, the legal system is endangered by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision in September, the former president openly condemned his punishment as illegal and censured the "hatred" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. While prominent officials and supporters from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities endorsing both the handling of the courtroom process and his conviction. Yet the turmoil, and the naked attempt to weaken the standing of the legal system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will take place. Should she lose it, the far-right National Rally leader will be disqualified from participating in the upcoming election.

Future Implications

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to handle. The former president might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his legal team. However the unfounded and damaging assaults on the legal system at all stages of his case have established a harmful example.