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As he arrived at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a message brimming with resistance via social media, writing, "This isn't a former president of the nation who is being jailed this morning, but rather an innocent man." An appellate court is set to decide regarding the truthfulness of this assertion. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and importance of his downfall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of illegal collaboration to acquire prohibited donations from the government of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of Vichy France, the Vichy leader. In a country where the democratically selected head of state possesses a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Legal Accountability

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the extent where warning signs are evident, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. As per a study published recently, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they thought a most of government figures were corrupt, and the vast majority reported that the majority behaved predominantly out of personal gain. While judging Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his incarceration should start immediately, the court official, the judicial authority, said that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. However the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the extent to which within the nation, as in various states, the legal system is jeopardized by a newly fashionable contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an exhaustive and meticulous court case has been falsely depicted by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Subsequent to the decision last month, the former president openly condemned his judgment as invalid and decried the "hostility" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. As high-ranking leaders and advocates from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, the judge has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the public seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities endorsing both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. Yet the spectacle, and the obvious try to weaken the standing of the legal system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the National Rally figure's court petition against a guilty verdict for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. 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 country's courts to manage. The former president could still be freed before his own appeal, following a request by his lawyers. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system throughout his case have established a harmful example.