Sarkozy's Initial 24 Hours Behind Bars: No Citizen Is Above the Law
While he made his way at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a statement brimming with resistance via social media, asserting, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic entering prison today, it's an innocent man." An appellate court will eventually give its view the veracity of that statement. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the spectacle and importance of his decline cannot be ignored.
The Conviction
The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of illegal collaboration to secure illicit campaign funds from the government of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Handed a five-year prison term, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU country to enter prison, and the initial French president since the disgraced head of wartime France, Marshal PĂ©tain. In a country where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a almost king-like position, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.
National Faith and Legal Consequences
In an era when confidence in political systems in France has collapsed to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a instructive example that no one is above the law. In a poll published this week, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they believed a majority of government figures were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that most acted mainly out of individual benefit. In sentencing the former president and directing that his sentence should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judge, noted that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."
Legal Challenges
Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, notably because that the ex-president has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the former president's case and its aftermath have alarmingly revealed the degree to which across the country, as in other countries, the legal system is jeopardized by a newly fashionable contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.
Using divisive tactics, an comprehensive and precise judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Subsequent to the decision in September, the former president openly condemned his sentence as illegal and censured the "animosity" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. While high-ranking leaders and supporters from the conservative and extremist have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the identical arguments, the judicial figure has received multiple threats.
Societal Feedback
Hearteningly, the population seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found significant majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the judicial system, was in all likelihood only a preliminary test. Next year, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will take place. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be excluded from participating in the future campaign.
Future Implications
Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to manage. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. But the unfounded and damaging assaults on the judicial framework throughout his case have created a negative standard.
