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As he arrived at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a statement brimming with opposition via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the republic entering prison this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court is set to give its view the veracity of his claim. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and significance of his downfall cannot simply be wished away.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader from 2007 to 2012, the former president was convicted of criminal conspiracy to obtain prohibited donations from the administration of the late Libyan dictator, the Libyan strongman. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the pioneering past president of an European Union nation to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the shamed head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader holds a near-royal standing, Tuesday's remarkable event was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed 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 on Tuesday, two-thirds of respondents stated that they thought a most of politicians were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 said that most behaved predominantly out of personal gain. In sentencing the former president and mandating that his sentence should begin without delay, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the crimes and the fact that they were "likely to undermine citizens' trust."

Courtroom Struggles

Such reflections might be deemed typical, particularly since that the ex-president has previously been sentenced in other graft trials. However the Sarkozy trial and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which across the country, as in different nations, the legal system is threatened by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous court case has been groundlessly presented by the former president's allies as a legal conspiracy and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision last month, the ex-leader effectively denounced his sentence as illegal and censured the "hostility" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. As prominent officials and advocates from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Reassuringly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found significant majorities supporting both the conduct of the courtroom process and his conviction. However the turmoil, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the legal system, was in all likelihood just a trial run. Next year, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a judgment for diversion of electoral finances will occur. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be disqualified from competing in the future campaign.

Future Implications

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the country's courts to handle. The former president might eventually exit before his own appeal, after an application by his legal team. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the judicial framework at all stages of his trial have created a negative standard.