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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader posted a message filled with resistance on X, writing, "It's not a former president of the nation facing incarceration today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary will eventually give its view the accuracy of this assertion. However, regrettably for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and significance of his decline cannot be dismissed.

The Conviction

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of unlawful plotting to obtain illicit campaign funds from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, the Libyan strongman. Handed a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an European Union nation to enter prison, and the initial French president since the shamed head of Vichy France, the Vichy leader. In a country where the democratically selected head of state possesses a quasi-monarchical status, this week's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. According to a survey published this week, a majority of participants stated that they believed a most of elected officials were corrupt, and nearly nine out of 10 claimed that most behaved predominantly out of personal gain. While judging the former president and directing that his sentence should begin without delay, the court official, the judge, said that she considered both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "could damage public confidence."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be deemed typical, notably because that the ex-president has before been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. Yet the former president's case and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which across the country, as in various states, the rule of law is threatened by a increasingly common disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. After the verdict in September, the former president effectively denounced his punishment as unlawful and condemned the "hostility" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. As prominent officials and supporters from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the same talking points, the judicial figure has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Reassuringly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities supporting both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. However the drama, and the naked attempt to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. Next year, the far-right leader's court petition against a guilty verdict for misuse of campaign money will take place. Should she lose it, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from participating in the future campaign.

Future Implications

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the national legal system to navigate. The former president could still be freed ahead of his next legal challenge, after an application by his legal team. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system before, during and after his proceedings have established a harmful example.