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As he was transported at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader posted a declaration overflowing with defiance via social media, asserting, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation facing incarceration this morning, it's an innocent man." The appeals judiciary is set to decide regarding the accuracy of that statement. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and significance of his decline cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, the former president was judged culpable of criminal conspiracy to obtain prohibited donations from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, the Libyan strongman. Given a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the pioneering past president of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of the Vichy regime, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader holds a near-royal standing, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. In a poll released recently, over 65% of those surveyed indicated that they thought a large number of politicians were corrupt, and almost 90% reported that the majority behaved predominantly out of self-interest. While judging the former president and mandating that his sentence should commence promptly, the judge, the judge, declared that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Judicial Threats

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has previously been sentenced in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its fallout have troublingly exposed the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the rule of law is jeopardized by a increasingly common disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Subsequent to the decision recently, the ex-leader openly condemned his sentence as illegal and censured the "animosity" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. While high-ranking leaders and advocates from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the public seems unconvinced. A survey after the ruling found clear majorities supporting both the handling of the legal case and his conviction. However the drama, and the naked attempt to undermine the reputation of the court system, was in all likelihood only a preliminary test. In January, Marine Le Pen's legal challenge against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be disqualified from competing in the 2027 presidential race.

Long-term Effects

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a perilous moment for the national legal system to handle. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system at all stages of his case have established a harmful example.