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As he arrived at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader published a declaration brimming with defiance via social media, stating, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic facing incarceration today, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to rule on the accuracy of his claim. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the drama and impact of his decline cannot be dismissed.

The Conviction

President of France from 2007 to 2012, the former president was found guilty of unlawful plotting to secure illicit campaign funds from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Handed a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the democratically selected head of state possesses a almost king-like position, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the point where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll released this week, a majority of participants said that they felt a most of government figures were unethical, and the vast majority claimed that many operated primarily out of self-interest. In sentencing the former president and mandating that his sentence should start immediately, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be deemed typical, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has before been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the legal proceedings and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which across the country, as in different nations, the rule of law is threatened by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed court case has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision last month, the former president effectively denounced his punishment as unlawful and censured the "hatred" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. While senior politicians and advocates from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the same talking points, the judge has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Public Response

Hearteningly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities endorsing both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. But the drama, and the obvious try to weaken the standing of the legal system, was very likely only a preliminary test. During winter, the far-right leader's court petition against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will take place. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be excluded from competing in the 2027 presidential race.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released before his own appeal, after an application by his attorneys. Yet the unfounded and damaging assaults on the legal system before, during and after his trial have set a damaging precedent.