Sarkozy's First Day Behind Bars: No Citizen Stands Above Legal Justice

While he made his way at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader shared a declaration brimming with opposition via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation facing incarceration today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will eventually give its view the accuracy of his claim. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and importance of his decline cannot be ignored.

The Conviction

France's leader from 2007 to 2012, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to secure illicit campaign funds from the regime of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to enter prison, and the first French leader since the shamed head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Legal Accountability

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has collapsed to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll released recently, two-thirds of respondents said that they thought a majority of elected officials were corrupt, and nearly nine out of 10 claimed that most acted mainly out of personal gain. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his sentence should begin without delay, the judge, the judge, noted that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its fallout have troublingly exposed the scope to which within the nation, as in different nations, the legal system is threatened by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of societal perspectives.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and political retaliation. After the verdict in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his sentence as invalid and condemned the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. While prominent officials and advocates from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has obtained numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Reassuringly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A post-verdict poll found significant majorities backing both the handling of the courtroom process and his sentencing. Yet the drama, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was in all likelihood only a preliminary test. During winter, the National Rally figure's court petition against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. If the appeal fails, the political candidate will be disqualified from participating in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to navigate. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system before, during and after his proceedings have created a negative standard.