As he arrived at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader shared a statement overflowing with resistance via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic entering prison this morning, it's an innocent man." An appellate court will eventually decide regarding the veracity of his claim. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his decline cannot simply be wished away.
The Conviction
The French head of state from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to acquire illicit campaign funds from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has become 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, the Vichy leader. Across France where the democratically selected head of state holds a almost king-like position, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a defining instance.
Citizen Confidence and Legal Consequences
During a period when faith in political institutions in France has plummeted to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. As per a study published recently, two-thirds of respondents said that they thought a most of elected officials were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 said that many behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. In sentencing the former president and directing that his incarceration should commence promptly, the judge, the judge, said that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."
Courtroom Struggles
Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. But the legal proceedings and its consequences have troublingly exposed the extent to which within the nation, as in other countries, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of societal perspectives.
Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his punishment as illegal and condemned the "hostility" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. Since senior politicians and advocates from the conservative and extremist have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the same talking points, the judge has obtained multiple threats.
Citizen Reaction
Reassuringly, the public does not appear to be buying it. Research following the judgment found clear majorities backing both the conduct of the courtroom process and his punishment. However the turmoil, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the legal system, was in all likelihood just a trial run. In January, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will take place. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be ruled out from participating in the upcoming election.
Future Implications
In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed ahead of his next legal challenge, after an application by his attorneys. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.
