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As he arrived at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader published a declaration filled with opposition via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed today, it's an innocent man." The appeals judiciary will eventually decide regarding the accuracy of his claim. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was convicted of criminal conspiracy to acquire illicit campaign funds from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Colonel Gaddafi. Handed a five-year prison term, he has become the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader possesses a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that the law applies to all. As per a study released this week, a majority of participants indicated that they felt a large number of government figures were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that the majority behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his prison term should begin without delay, the court official, the judge, said that she considered both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage public confidence."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be seen as ordinary, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has before been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. However the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the legal system is threatened by a increasingly common disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed legal process has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. After the verdict last month, the former president openly condemned his judgment as unlawful and condemned the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. As prominent officials and supporters from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and right-leaning media with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the public largely rejects this narrative. A post-verdict poll found significant majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. However the turmoil, and the blatant effort to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was in all likelihood only a preliminary test. During winter, the far-right leader's appeal against a conviction for embezzlement of political funds will occur. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from competing in the upcoming election.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a perilous moment for the country's courts to handle. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed ahead of his next legal challenge, following a request by his lawyers. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework throughout his trial have established a harmful example.