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While he was transported at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader posted a declaration brimming with opposition via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation entering prison this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary is set to give its view the truthfulness of his claim. However, regrettably for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and importance of his downfall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to acquire prohibited donations from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Given a five-year prison term, he has emerged as the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the elected president possesses a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a defining instance.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

In an era when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll released recently, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they felt a majority of elected officials were corrupt, and almost 90% claimed that the majority acted mainly out of personal gain. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his sentence should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, said that she factored in both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has before been sentenced in distinct bribery proceedings. However the former president's case and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the degree to which across the country, as in various states, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an comprehensive and precise judicial procedure has been falsely depicted by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. Subsequent to the decision in September, the former president publicly criticized his sentence as invalid and condemned the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that reportedly inspired it. While prominent officials and advocates from the conservative and extremist have dominated media discussions and right-leaning media with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has obtained multiple threats.

Public Response

Reassuringly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A post-verdict poll found comfortable majorities supporting both the handling of the legal case and his sentencing. But the spectacle, and the naked attempt to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, Marine Le Pen's court petition against a judgment for embezzlement of political funds will take place. If the appeal fails, the conservative figure will be excluded from running in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the national legal system to manage. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit before his own appeal, following a request by his lawyers. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework before, during and after his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.