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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader published a declaration brimming with opposition via social media, asserting, "It's not a former president of the nation facing incarceration today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal will in time decide regarding the truthfulness of that statement. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his decline cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to obtain prohibited donations from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a five-year sentence, he has been recorded as the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the disgraced head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the elected president possesses a almost king-like position, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Legal Accountability

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the extent where warning signs are evident, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. In a poll issued this week, a majority of participants stated that they thought a most of government figures were unethical, and the vast majority reported that many behaved predominantly out of personal gain. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his sentence should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, said that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the crimes and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has previously been sentenced in distinct bribery proceedings. However the legal proceedings and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in other countries, the legal system is threatened by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of public opinion.

Using divisive tactics, an thorough and detailed judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by the former president's allies as a legal conspiracy and leftwing vendetta. After the verdict last month, the former president effectively denounced his judgment as unlawful and decried the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and supporters from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the same talking points, the judicial figure has been subjected to multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the public seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found clear majorities supporting both the conduct of the courtroom process and his punishment. However the drama, and the naked attempt to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was most probably just a trial run. During winter, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will be heard. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from competing in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to handle. The former president could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his attorneys. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system throughout his proceedings have created a negative standard.