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

As he made his way at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a statement brimming with resistance via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the nation facing incarceration this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal is set to give its view the accuracy of this assertion. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the drama and impact of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of unlawful plotting to secure illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Handed a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state possesses a near-royal standing, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a defining instance.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. As per a study issued recently, a majority of participants said that they felt a majority of elected officials were dishonest, and the vast majority reported that the majority acted mainly out of personal gain. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and directing that his sentence should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, declared that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the crimes and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been sentenced in separate corruption cases. Yet the legal proceedings and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the judicial framework is threatened by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. Subsequent to the decision last month, the ex-leader openly condemned his judgment as illegal and decried the "hatred" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. Since high-ranking leaders and backers from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and right-leaning media with the similar rhetoric, the judge has received multiple threats.

Public Response

Hearteningly, the public largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities backing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. But the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was most probably only a preliminary test. In January, the far-right leader's court petition against a judgment for misuse of campaign money will take place. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from competing in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to handle. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his legal team. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework throughout his case have set a damaging precedent.