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While he was transported at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a declaration overflowing with defiance via social media, writing, "This isn't a former president of the republic facing incarceration this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to decide regarding the truthfulness of his claim. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the turmoil and importance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was convicted of illegal collaboration to obtain illegal financing from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the initial French president since the disgraced head of Vichy France, Marshal Pétain. Within a nation where the elected president holds a almost king-like position, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. In a poll issued recently, a majority of participants stated that they believed a most of elected officials were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that the majority acted mainly out of self-interest. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his prison term should begin without delay, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she considered both the profoundly severe aspect of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been found guilty in separate corruption cases. Yet the legal proceedings and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in other countries, the judicial framework is endangered by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of societal perspectives.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed court case has been falsely depicted by his backers as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader effectively denounced his judgment as invalid and censured the "animosity" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. While prominent officials and backers from the conservative and extremist have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has obtained numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found clear majorities supporting both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. However the turmoil, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the legal system, was most probably only a preliminary test. Next year, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be ruled out from participating in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a perilous moment for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released ahead of his next legal challenge, subsequent to a petition by his legal team. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system throughout his proceedings have established a harmful example.