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While he arrived at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader published a message brimming with opposition on X, writing, "This isn't a former president of the nation facing incarceration this morning, it's an innocent man." An appellate court is set to decide regarding the accuracy of this assertion. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and importance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was convicted of unlawful plotting to acquire prohibited donations from the government of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has been recorded as the pioneering past president of an EU country to enter prison, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of Vichy France, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state holds a quasi-monarchical status, the recent extraordinary spectacle was a defining instance.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

At a time when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the point where warning signs are evident, it was also a instructive example that everyone is subject to the law. According to a survey issued this week, a majority of participants indicated that they believed a majority of politicians were dishonest, and almost 90% reported that the majority behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his incarceration should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judge, declared that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode citizens' trust."

Judicial Threats

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, notably because that the ex-president has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the former president's case and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by his backers as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision in September, the ex-leader openly condemned his sentence as unlawful and decried the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. As prominent officials and advocates from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has been subjected to various menaces.

Societal Feedback

Encouragingly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities endorsing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. However the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the court system, was most probably just a trial run. Next year, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will occur. If the appeal fails, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the country's courts to navigate. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released before his own appeal, following a request by his legal team. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system throughout his case have set a damaging precedent.