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As he made his way at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a declaration overflowing with opposition via social media, writing, "This isn't a former president of the nation facing incarceration this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will eventually give its view the truthfulness of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the turmoil and impact of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

President of France between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy to secure prohibited donations from the administration of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU member state to enter prison, and the initial French president since the shamed head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Across France where the chosen leader enjoys a almost king-like position, the recent remarkable event was a defining instance.

Citizen Confidence and Legal Accountability

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the degree where the lights are flashing red, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. According to a survey released this week, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they felt a large number of elected officials were corrupt, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that many operated primarily out of self-interest. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his prison term should commence promptly, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the crimes and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be deemed typical, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has before been found guilty in other graft trials. However the former president's case and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which across the country, as in other countries, the rule of law is threatened by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by the former president's allies as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader openly condemned his sentence as illegal and condemned the "animosity" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. Since senior politicians and backers from the traditional and radical have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has received numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the public does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities supporting both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his punishment. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was very likely just a trial run. During winter, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a guilty verdict for embezzlement of political funds will take place. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from participating in the upcoming election.

Future Implications

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a perilous moment for the French judiciary to navigate. The former president may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his attorneys. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system before, during and after his proceedings have created a negative standard.