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While he was transported at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader posted a message overflowing with opposition via social media, asserting, "This isn't a former president of the republic facing incarceration this morning, it's an innocent man." A court of appeal is set to give its view the veracity of this assertion. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and impact of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

France's leader during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was judged culpable of criminal conspiracy to acquire illegal financing from the regime of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the pioneering past president of an EU member state to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the extent where warning signs are evident, it was also a instructive example that everyone is subject to the law. As per a study released recently, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they thought a large number of government figures were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 said that most operated primarily out of individual benefit. When convicting the former president and ordering that his prison term should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, the judge, said that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode citizens' trust."

Judicial Threats

Such reflections might be deemed typical, particularly since that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been convicted in other graft trials. However the Sarkozy trial and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which across the country, as in other countries, the rule of law is threatened by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been falsely depicted by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Following the ruling last month, the former president effectively denounced his sentence as unlawful and decried the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. While senior politicians and supporters from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and conservative press with the same talking points, the judge has obtained numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Encouragingly, the population seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities backing both the handling of the legal case and his punishment. However the drama, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the court system, was most probably only a preliminary test. Next year, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will take place. Should she lose it, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from running in the 2027 presidential race.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a perilous moment for the country's courts to navigate. Mr Sarkozy 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 proceedings have created a negative standard.