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While he arrived at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a statement filled with resistance via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic facing incarceration this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal will eventually give its view the veracity of this assertion. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and significance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of unlawful plotting to obtain prohibited donations from the administration of the late Libyan dictator, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. Across France where the chosen leader possesses a almost king-like position, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the degree where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that the law applies to all. As per a study released recently, a majority of participants stated that they believed a large number of politicians were corrupt, and the vast majority claimed that the majority acted mainly out of self-interest. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his incarceration should start immediately, the court official, the judge, noted that she factored in both the exceptionally grave nature of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be deemed typical, notably because that the ex-president has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the Sarkozy trial and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the degree to which in France, as in other countries, the legal system is jeopardized by a recently popular disdain for courts and the effort to control of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been falsely depicted by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. Following the ruling in September, the former president effectively denounced his punishment as illegal and condemned the "hatred" with "no limits" that supposedly drove it. As high-ranking leaders and advocates from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has obtained numerous death threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the citizens seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found clear majorities supporting both the handling of the legal case and his sentencing. However the turmoil, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the court system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. Next year, the National Rally figure's court petition against a judgment for misuse of campaign money will be heard. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be disqualified from competing in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. But the unfounded and damaging assaults on the court system at all stages of his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.