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While he arrived at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a message filled with opposition via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation entering prison this morning, it's an innocent man." A court of appeal is set to rule on the truthfulness of that statement. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to acquire prohibited donations from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Handed a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU member state to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the shamed head of Vichy France, Marshal Pétain. Across France where the chosen leader holds a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has collapsed to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that everyone is subject to the law. According to a survey released recently, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they felt a large number of politicians were unethical, and almost 90% said that many acted mainly out of individual benefit. While judging Mr Sarkozy and directing that his prison term should commence promptly, the judge, the judge, said that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

Such reflections might be deemed typical, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. Yet the former president's case and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the extent to which within the nation, as in different nations, the rule of law is endangered by a newly fashionable disdain for courts and the effort to control of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his judgment as invalid and censured the "hostility" with "no restraints" that reportedly inspired it. As high-ranking leaders and supporters from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has received multiple threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities endorsing both the conduct of the courtroom process and his punishment. Yet the drama, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the court system, was very likely only a preliminary test. Next year, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will be heard. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from competing in the future campaign.

Future Implications

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the country's courts to handle. The former president may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, after an application by his attorneys. Yet the unfounded and damaging assaults on the judicial framework at all stages of his proceedings have created a negative standard.