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While he made his way at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader published a declaration overflowing with opposition via social media, stating, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to give its view the accuracy of that statement. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the turmoil and significance of his downfall cannot simply be wished away.

The Legal Judgment

The French head of state from 2007 to 2012, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to secure prohibited donations from the government of the late Libyan dictator, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the elected president enjoys a almost king-like position, Tuesday's remarkable event was a defining instance.

National Faith and Legal Accountability

In an era when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the degree where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. According to a survey issued recently, a majority of participants indicated that they believed a large number of politicians were corrupt, and the vast majority said that most operated primarily out of self-interest. In sentencing the former president and directing that his incarceration should start immediately, the court official, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she factored in both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has before been found guilty in separate corruption cases. Yet the former president's case and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the scope to which within the nation, as in different nations, the judicial framework is endangered by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise court case has been groundlessly presented by the former president's allies as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. After the verdict last month, the former president publicly criticized his judgment as illegal and decried the "hatred" with "no limits" that allegedly motivated it. As senior politicians and supporters from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, the judge has obtained various menaces.

Public Response

Hearteningly, the public seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found clear majorities supporting both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. Yet the spectacle, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the court system, was most probably just a trial run. In January, the far-right leader's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be disqualified from running in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the country's courts to manage. The former president might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his legal team. But the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the court system before, during and after his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.