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While he made his way at the Parisian detention facility this week, the former French leader published a message overflowing with defiance via social media, asserting, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic facing incarceration today, but rather an innocent man." A court of appeal will eventually rule on the accuracy of that statement. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his fall cannot be ignored.

The Conviction

France's leader between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was found guilty of unlawful plotting to secure illicit campaign funds from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, the Libyan strongman. Sentenced to a five-year sentence, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the democratically selected head of state holds a almost king-like position, this week's remarkable event was a seminal moment.

Citizen Confidence and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the extent where warning signs are evident, it was also a sobering reminder that no one is above the law. In a poll published this week, over 65% of those surveyed indicated that they felt a most of politicians were dishonest, and nearly nine out of 10 said that the majority behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. When convicting the former president and mandating that his incarceration should start immediately, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode the people's faith."

Judicial Threats

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. Yet the former president's case and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the scope to which across the country, as in other countries, the judicial framework is endangered by a newly fashionable contempt for the judiciary and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. After the verdict recently, the ex-leader openly condemned his judgment as invalid and decried the "animosity" with "no boundaries" that supposedly drove it. Since high-ranking leaders and supporters from the right and far right have dominated media discussions and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has received multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the public seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found comfortable majorities endorsing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his sentencing. However the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the court system, was very likely just a trial run. Next year, the National Rally figure's legal challenge against a conviction for embezzlement of political funds will occur. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be excluded from running in the future campaign.

Long-term Effects

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to handle. The former president could still be freed before his own appeal, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. Yet the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the legal system throughout his trial have established a harmful example.