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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a declaration filled with resistance via social media, asserting, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic entering prison this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will eventually rule on the accuracy of that statement. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Conviction

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy to secure illegal financing from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Handed a half-decade incarceration, he has become the pioneering past president of an EU member state to enter prison, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the democratically selected head of state possesses a almost king-like position, the recent remarkable event was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when faith in political institutions in France has plummeted to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. As per a study published recently, a majority of participants stated that they felt a large number of politicians were corrupt, and almost 90% claimed that many behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. When convicting the former president and directing that his prison term should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judge, said that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Judicial Threats

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, notably because that the ex-president has before been convicted in separate corruption cases. However the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have troublingly exposed the degree to which within the nation, as in various states, the rule of law is threatened by a newly fashionable disdain for courts and the effort to control of societal perspectives.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been groundlessly presented by his backers as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. After the verdict last month, the former president publicly criticized his judgment as illegal and condemned the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. While high-ranking leaders and advocates from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the identical arguments, the judge has obtained numerous death threats.

Societal Feedback

Reassuringly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities endorsing both the handling of the legal case and his conviction. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the judicial system, was most probably just a trial run. In January, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If the appeal fails, the political candidate will be ruled out from running in the upcoming election.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the country's courts to navigate. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed before his own appeal, subsequent to a petition by his legal team. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system at all stages of his trial have set a damaging precedent.