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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy published a message brimming with resistance via social media, writing, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic facing incarceration this morning, but rather an innocent man." The appeals judiciary will in time decide regarding the truthfulness of his claim. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his decline cannot be ignored.

The Conviction

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to acquire illegal financing from the administration of the late Libyan dictator, the Libyan strongman. Handed a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the first former leader of an European Union nation to enter prison, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. Within a nation where the chosen leader possesses a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's remarkable event was a seminal moment.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when confidence in political systems in France has collapsed to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. As per a study issued on Tuesday, a majority of participants stated that they believed a large number of politicians were unethical, and almost 90% claimed that most behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. When convicting the former president and ordering that his incarceration should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, the judge, declared that she considered both the exceptionally grave nature of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Such reflections might be deemed typical, especially given that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in other graft trials. But the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which across the country, as in different nations, the rule of law is endangered by a increasingly common contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed legal process has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a legal conspiracy and political retaliation. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader openly condemned his punishment as invalid and decried the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. As senior politicians and backers from the conservative and extremist have saturated public discourse and conservative press with the identical arguments, Ms Gavarino has received numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities backing both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. However the turmoil, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the court system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the National Rally figure's court petition against a judgment for misuse of campaign money will occur. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from running in the upcoming election.

Future Implications

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the country's courts to manage. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system throughout his proceedings have established a harmful example.