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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a declaration overflowing with resistance via social media, writing, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation facing incarceration this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will in time rule on the accuracy of that statement. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the spectacle and importance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was found guilty of unlawful plotting to secure illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the disgraced head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the elected president enjoys a almost king-like position, the recent remarkable event was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has plummeted to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll issued on Tuesday, a majority of participants said that they thought a most of politicians were unethical, and the vast majority said that many operated primarily out of personal gain. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his sentence should begin without delay, the court official, the judicial authority, said that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be deemed typical, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has before been found guilty in other graft trials. However the Sarkozy trial and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the scope to which within the nation, as in different nations, the rule of law is threatened by a increasingly common disdain for courts and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. Following the ruling in September, the former president openly condemned his sentence as unlawful and censured the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and supporters from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has received numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the public seems unconvinced. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities supporting both the proceedings of the legal case and his punishment. However the turmoil, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the far-right leader's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be ruled out from competing in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a perilous moment for the French judiciary to navigate. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework throughout his case have created a negative standard.