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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a message overflowing with opposition via social media, asserting, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation who is being jailed this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court is set to give its view the accuracy of that statement. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the drama and impact of his downfall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to obtain illicit campaign funds from the administration of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Sentenced to a five-year prison term, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the elected president holds a almost king-like position, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that everyone is subject to the law. As per a study published recently, a majority of participants stated that they thought a large number of elected officials were dishonest, and almost 90% reported that many operated primarily out of self-interest. In sentencing the former president and directing that his prison term should begin without delay, the court official, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has previously been found guilty in other graft trials. But the former president's case and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a newly fashionable disdain for courts and the effort to control of societal perspectives.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his sentence as unlawful and censured the "animosity" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. As high-ranking leaders and advocates from the traditional and radical have saturated public discourse and traditional outlets with the identical arguments, the judicial figure has been subjected to multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found clear majorities supporting both the proceedings of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. Yet the drama, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the legal system, was most probably only a preliminary test. Next year, the far-right leader's appeal against a guilty verdict for misuse of campaign money will be heard. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be disqualified from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a perilous moment for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released ahead of his next legal challenge, following a request by his legal team. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.