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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a statement filled with opposition via social media, stating, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal will in time give its view the truthfulness of this assertion. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his downfall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to obtain illicit campaign funds from the government of the late Libyan dictator, the Libyan strongman. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the first former leader of an EU member state to go behind bars, and the initial French president since the shamed head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the elected president possesses a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

Citizen Confidence and Legal Consequences

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has declined drastically to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. In a poll released recently, over 65% of those surveyed said that they felt a most of government figures were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 claimed that many acted mainly out of individual benefit. While judging the former president and ordering that his sentence should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "could damage citizens' trust."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, notably because that the ex-president has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its fallout have troublingly exposed the extent to which across the country, as in various states, the legal system is endangered by a increasingly common disdain for courts and the attempted manipulation of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been falsely depicted by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. Following the ruling last month, the ex-leader openly condemned his sentence as illegal and decried the "hatred" with "no limits" that supposedly drove it. As high-ranking leaders and backers from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the identical arguments, the judicial figure has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Societal Feedback

Encouragingly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities supporting both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. But the spectacle, and the naked attempt to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was most probably only a preliminary test. During winter, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a guilty verdict for misuse of campaign money will occur. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be excluded from participating in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a risky period for the national legal system to handle. The former president might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, after an application by his lawyers. But the unfounded and damaging assaults on the judicial framework before, during and after his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.