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As he made his way at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader published a statement filled with opposition on X, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed today, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to decide regarding the accuracy of this assertion. However, regrettably for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and importance of his decline cannot be dismissed.

The Conviction

President of France from 2007 to 2012, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to secure illicit campaign funds from the government of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the chosen leader holds a near-royal standing, the recent extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

At a time when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. According to a survey released on Tuesday, a majority of participants said that they thought a large number of elected officials were corrupt, and the vast majority reported that many behaved predominantly out of self-interest. While judging the former president and ordering that his sentence should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode citizens' trust."

Legal Challenges

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, especially given that the ex-president has in the past been sentenced in other graft trials. However the legal proceedings and its consequences have troublingly exposed the degree to which across the country, as in other countries, the legal system is endangered by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by the former president's allies as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling recently, the ex-leader effectively denounced his judgment as unlawful and condemned the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. While senior politicians and supporters from the conservative and extremist have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has obtained numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the public does not appear to be buying it. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities backing both the handling of the legal case and his conviction. But the spectacle, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the court system, was very likely only a preliminary test. In January, the far-right leader's appeal against a judgment for diversion of electoral finances will occur. If the appeal fails, the conservative figure will be excluded from participating in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the national legal system to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, after an application by his legal team. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework before, during and after his case have set a damaging precedent.