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While he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader published a declaration brimming with defiance via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the republic who is being jailed today, but rather an innocent man." An appellate court is set to decide regarding the veracity of his claim. However, regrettably for the ex-president, the drama and impact of his decline cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, the former president was convicted of criminal conspiracy to obtain illegal financing from the government of the former Libyan ruler, Colonel Gaddafi. Given a five-year sentence, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU country to enter prison, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. In a country where the elected president enjoys a almost king-like position, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a seminal moment.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has declined drastically to the extent where warning signs are evident, it was also a salutary demonstration that the law applies to all. According to a survey issued this week, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they felt a majority of politicians were dishonest, and the vast majority claimed that the majority behaved predominantly out of individual benefit. While judging Mr Sarkozy and directing that his prison term should commence promptly, the judge, the judicial authority, said that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be seen as ordinary, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has previously been sentenced in other graft trials. However the legal proceedings and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the extent to which in France, as in different nations, the judicial framework is endangered by a newly fashionable contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of the popular view.

In Trumpian fashion, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been baselessly portrayed by his backers as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. Subsequent to the decision last month, the former president publicly criticized his judgment as illegal and condemned the "hatred" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. While prominent officials and supporters from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and conservative press with the identical arguments, the judge has received multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the public seems unconvinced. Research following the judgment found significant majorities endorsing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. However the drama, and the obvious try to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was very likely only a preliminary test. During winter, the far-right leader's court petition against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will take place. Should she lose it, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out 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 manage. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit before his own appeal, subsequent to a petition by his legal team. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework throughout his proceedings have established a harmful example.