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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader shared a message filled with opposition via social media, stating, "It's not a former president of the republic entering prison today, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to give its view the accuracy of that statement. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the turmoil and impact of his downfall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of unlawful plotting to secure prohibited donations from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the shamed head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain. Within a nation where the elected president enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, this week's unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. According to a survey issued on Tuesday, a majority of participants stated that they felt a majority of elected officials were unethical, and the vast majority claimed that most operated primarily out of self-interest. While judging Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his incarceration should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judge, said that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the offences and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. Yet the legal proceedings and its fallout have troublingly exposed the scope to which in France, as in various states, the legal system is endangered by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of the popular view.

Using divisive tactics, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. Subsequent to the decision in September, the former president publicly criticized his punishment as illegal and censured the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. As high-ranking leaders and supporters from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has received multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the public largely rejects this narrative. Research following the judgment found clear majorities supporting both the handling of the legal case and his punishment. However the drama, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the court system, was most probably just a trial run. In January, the far-right leader's court petition against a guilty verdict for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from participating in the upcoming election.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to manage. The former president might eventually exit ahead of his next legal challenge, after an application by his attorneys. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the legal system before, during and after his case have established a harmful example.