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As he was transported at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader posted a declaration overflowing with defiance via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation facing incarceration this morning, it's an innocent man." The appeals judiciary is set to give its view the veracity of that statement. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and significance of his decline cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to obtain illicit campaign funds from the government of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to go behind bars, and the initial French president since the shamed head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the elected president enjoys a near-royal standing, the recent unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has collapsed to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. As per a study published on Tuesday, two-thirds of respondents said that they felt a most of elected officials were unethical, and the vast majority said that many operated primarily out of personal gain. While judging the former president and ordering that his prison term should commence promptly, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she took into account both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Legal Challenges

These considerations might be deemed typical, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. However the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the rule of law is jeopardized by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling last month, the ex-leader effectively denounced his punishment as unlawful and censured the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. Since prominent officials and advocates from the conservative and extremist have saturated public discourse and right-leaning media with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has obtained numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the public seems unconvinced. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. Yet the drama, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the court system, was in all likelihood merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the National Rally figure's court petition against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will be heard. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be ruled out from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to manage. The former president might eventually exit ahead of his next legal challenge, following a request by his lawyers. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system at all stages of his case have created a negative standard.