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While he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader posted a message filled with defiance via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the republic entering prison this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court is set to rule on the truthfulness of that statement. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the spectacle and importance of his decline cannot be dismissed.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of criminal conspiracy to obtain illegal financing from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the first former leader of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the shamed head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the democratically selected head of state possesses a almost king-like position, the recent remarkable event was a historic occasion.

Public Trust and Legal Accountability

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. In a poll published recently, a majority of participants indicated that they felt a large number of politicians were dishonest, and the vast majority claimed that many acted mainly out of individual benefit. While judging Mr Sarkozy and directing that his sentence should begin without delay, the court official, the judge, declared that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, especially given that the ex-president has in the past been found guilty in other graft trials. But the former president's case and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in various states, the legal system is jeopardized by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the effort to control of societal perspectives.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been groundlessly presented by the former president's allies as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his judgment as unlawful and condemned the "hatred" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. As prominent officials and supporters from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has obtained various menaces.

Public Response

Hearteningly, the public does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found comfortable majorities backing both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his punishment. But the drama, and the naked attempt to undermine the reputation of the court system, was most probably just a trial run. Next year, Marine Le Pen's legal challenge against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will be heard. If the appeal fails, the political candidate will be ruled out from participating in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to navigate. The former president could still be freed ahead of his next legal challenge, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. Yet the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the legal system before, during and after his trial have set a damaging precedent.