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While he made his way at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader published a statement brimming with resistance via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic entering prison this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to rule on the accuracy of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the drama and significance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to obtain illegal financing from the government of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an EU country to enter prison, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. Within a nation where the chosen leader possesses a almost king-like position, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has declined drastically to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll published this week, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they believed a majority of government figures were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 claimed that many behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and directing that his incarceration should commence promptly, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she considered both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which across the country, as in different nations, the judicial framework is endangered by a newly fashionable contempt for the judiciary and the effort to control of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been falsely depicted by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. After the verdict recently, the former president openly condemned his punishment as invalid and censured the "hatred" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and advocates from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, the judge has obtained numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the citizens seems unconvinced. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities endorsing both the proceedings of the legal case and his sentencing. Yet the drama, and the naked attempt to damage the credibility of the legal system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. Next year, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will take place. Should she lose it, the far-right National Rally leader will be excluded from competing in the 2027 presidential race.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to navigate. The former president might eventually exit before his own appeal, following a request by his attorneys. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system before, during and after his case have established a harmful example.