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While he arrived at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader shared a message filled with opposition via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the nation entering prison today, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary will eventually rule on the truthfulness of his claim. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the turmoil and significance of his downfall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

President of France from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to secure prohibited donations from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. In a country where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, the recent extraordinary spectacle was a defining instance.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

In an era 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. According to a survey issued recently, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they felt a large number of government figures were dishonest, and the vast majority claimed that the majority acted mainly out of personal gain. In sentencing the former president and directing that his sentence should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, the judge, declared that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the Sarkozy trial and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the judicial framework is endangered by a increasingly common disdain for courts and the try to influence of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling recently, the ex-leader publicly criticized his sentence as unlawful and censured the "hatred" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. While high-ranking leaders and supporters from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has obtained multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities backing both the conduct of the courtroom process and his punishment. Yet the drama, and the blatant effort to damage the credibility of the legal system, was very likely only a preliminary test. During winter, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a conviction for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be ruled out from running in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to navigate. The former president may yet be released ahead of his next legal challenge, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the court system before, during and after his trial have created a negative standard.