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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a message brimming with opposition on X, writing, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation facing incarceration this morning, but rather an innocent man." An appellate court is set to rule on the truthfulness of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the spectacle and impact of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France between 2007 and 2012, the former president was judged culpable of criminal conspiracy to secure prohibited donations from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the disgraced head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the extent where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll released recently, over 65% of those surveyed said that they thought a majority of government figures were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that most acted mainly out of personal gain. When convicting the former president and directing that his sentence should start immediately, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has previously been found guilty in separate corruption cases. However the legal proceedings and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an thorough and detailed legal process has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. After the verdict recently, the ex-leader effectively denounced his sentence as illegal and censured the "hostility" with "no limits" that allegedly motivated it. Since prominent officials and backers from the traditional and radical have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Societal Feedback

Reassuringly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. Research following the judgment found significant majorities supporting both the conduct of the legal case and his punishment. However the drama, and the naked attempt to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a judgment for diversion of electoral finances will take place. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be ruled out from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the national legal system to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his lawyers. However the unfounded and damaging assaults on the legal system before, during and after his trial have set a damaging precedent.