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While he was transported at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader published a declaration filled with opposition via social media, writing, "This isn't a former president of the republic entering prison today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will in time rule on the accuracy of this assertion. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

President of France from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of criminal conspiracy to acquire prohibited donations from the administration of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a half-decade incarceration, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to go behind bars, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the elected president enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, the recent remarkable event was a historic occasion.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the point where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. According to a survey published recently, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they believed a large number of politicians were unethical, and almost 90% said that many behaved predominantly out of self-interest. While judging Mr Sarkozy and directing that his prison term should start immediately, the judge, the judge, noted that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be deemed typical, especially given that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in other graft trials. But the former president's case and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the extent to which within the nation, as in other countries, the rule of law is endangered by a increasingly common disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by his backers as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling last month, the ex-leader effectively denounced his punishment as unlawful and condemned the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and backers from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the same talking points, the judge has been subjected to multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the citizens seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found clear majorities supporting both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. However the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was most probably only a preliminary test. During winter, the National Rally figure's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If the appeal fails, the political candidate will be disqualified from running in the upcoming election.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a perilous moment for the national legal system to handle. The former president might eventually exit before his own appeal, after an application by his lawyers. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the court system throughout his trial have established a harmful example.