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As he arrived at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader posted a statement filled with opposition via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the nation entering prison today, but rather an innocent man." A court of appeal will in time decide regarding the veracity of this assertion. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was found guilty of illegal collaboration to secure illicit campaign funds from the government of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Given a half-decade incarceration, he has become the first former leader of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the chosen leader enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, this week's unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Accountability

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the degree where the lights are flashing red, it was also a sobering reminder that the law applies to all. In a poll issued this week, a majority of participants indicated that they thought a most of elected officials were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 said that many acted mainly out of self-interest. When convicting the former president and ordering that his sentence should begin without delay, the judge, the judge, said that she considered both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

Such reflections might be deemed typical, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has before been found guilty in other graft trials. But the former president's case and its consequences have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which across the country, as in other countries, the judicial framework is endangered by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of societal perspectives.

Following a populist playbook, an thorough and detailed legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and ideological revenge. Subsequent to the decision in September, the former president openly condemned his judgment as unlawful and condemned the "animosity" with "no limits" that supposedly drove it. As senior politicians and advocates from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has obtained numerous death threats.

Public Response

Reassuringly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities supporting both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. However the spectacle, and the blatant effort to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the far-right leader's court petition against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will take place. Should she lose it, the political candidate will be ruled out from participating in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to navigate. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework before, during and after his trial have set a damaging precedent.