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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader published a declaration overflowing with opposition via social media, asserting, "This isn't a former president of the republic entering prison this morning, but rather an innocent man." The appeals judiciary will in time rule on the accuracy of that statement. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to obtain illicit campaign funds from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Handed a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an EU member state to be imprisoned, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of Vichy France, the Vichy leader. Across France where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, this week's remarkable event was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a instructive example that no one is above the law. In a poll published this week, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they felt a large number of politicians were dishonest, and the vast majority reported that many behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. In sentencing the former president and ordering that his prison term should commence promptly, the judge, the judge, declared that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be seen as ordinary, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been sentenced in distinct bribery proceedings. However the former president's case and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in various states, the legal system is jeopardized by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise court case has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his sentence as illegal and decried the "hatred" with "no restraints" that allegedly motivated it. While prominent officials and supporters from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and right-leaning media with the same talking points, the judicial figure has been subjected to various menaces.

Societal Feedback

Encouragingly, the population does not appear to be buying it. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities supporting both the conduct of the courtroom process and his sentencing. Yet the turmoil, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the legal system, was most probably only a preliminary test. In January, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will take place. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be excluded from running in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a perilous moment for the national legal system to manage. The former president might eventually exit before his own appeal, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system throughout his case have established a harmful example.