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As he made his way at the Parisian detention facility this week, the former French leader published a message brimming with resistance via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation entering prison this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will eventually give its view the veracity of that statement. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the turmoil and impact of his downfall cannot be ignored.

The Guilty Verdict

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to secure illicit campaign funds from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has become the first former leader of an EU country to be imprisoned, and the initial French president since the dishonored head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state possesses a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Legal Accountability

At a time when faith in political institutions in France has declined drastically to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. In a poll released recently, over 65% of those surveyed said that they believed a most of politicians were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 reported that most operated primarily out of individual benefit. In sentencing the former president and directing that his sentence should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, said that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which within the nation, as in different nations, the legal system is threatened by a recently popular disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of the popular view.

In Trumpian fashion, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a legal conspiracy and political retaliation. Following the ruling recently, the ex-leader publicly criticized his judgment as invalid and condemned the "animosity" with "no restraints" that allegedly motivated it. As high-ranking leaders and advocates from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and traditional outlets with the same talking points, the judge has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the public largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities backing both the conduct of the legal case and his sentencing. But the drama, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the court system, was very likely merely a dress rehearsal. Next year, Marine Le Pen's legal challenge against a conviction for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If unsuccessful, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from competing in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to navigate. The former president could still be freed ahead of his next legal challenge, after an application by his lawyers. Yet the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the court system throughout his case have created a negative standard.