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While he was transported at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a message overflowing with resistance via social media, stating, "This isn't a ex-leader of the nation entering prison this morning, it's an innocent man." An appellate court will eventually give its view the accuracy of that statement. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and significance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader from 2007 to 2012, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to secure illegal financing from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a five-year prison term, he has become the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to enter prison, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, the Vichy leader. Across France where the democratically selected head of state possesses a near-royal standing, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. As per a study published on Tuesday, a majority of participants stated that they thought a large number of elected officials were corrupt, and almost 90% said that the majority operated primarily out of self-interest. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his incarceration should start immediately, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be deemed typical, notably because that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in separate corruption cases. However the legal proceedings and its consequences have troublingly exposed the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the rule of law is jeopardized by a increasingly common disdain for courts and the attempted manipulation of societal perspectives.

Following a populist playbook, an exhaustive and meticulous court case has been falsely depicted by his backers as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. After the verdict last month, the ex-leader openly condemned his judgment as invalid and censured the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and advocates from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the identical arguments, the judicial figure has obtained numerous death threats.

Public Response

Reassuringly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found clear majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. Yet the spectacle, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the court system, was in all likelihood only a preliminary test. In January, the far-right leader's appeal against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be excluded from participating in the future campaign.

Future Implications

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a perilous moment for the country's courts to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his legal team. Yet the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the legal system throughout his proceedings have created a negative standard.