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As he was transported at La Santé prison this week, the former French leader published a declaration brimming with resistance via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the nation entering prison today, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." An appellate court will eventually rule on the veracity of this assertion. However, regrettably for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and importance of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was judged culpable of unlawful plotting to obtain illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a five-year prison term, he has become the first former leader of an EU member state to go behind bars, and the initial French president since the shamed head of Vichy France, the Vichy leader. Across France where the elected president possesses a almost king-like position, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has declined drastically to the degree where warning signs are evident, it was also a instructive example that everyone is subject to the law. According to a survey published recently, a majority of participants said that they thought a most of politicians were unethical, and the vast majority said that the majority behaved predominantly out of personal gain. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and directing that his sentence should begin without delay, the court official, the judge, said that she factored in both the profoundly severe aspect of the violations and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has previously been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the extent to which in France, as in other countries, the rule of law is jeopardized by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of public opinion.

Following a populist playbook, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been groundlessly presented by his backers as a courtroom scheme and leftwing vendetta. After the verdict last month, the ex-leader openly condemned his judgment as invalid and decried the "animosity" with "no limits" that allegedly motivated it. Since prominent officials and advocates from the traditional and radical have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to various menaces.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the population does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities backing both the conduct of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his conviction. But the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the legal system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. During winter, the far-right leader's legal challenge against a guilty verdict for diversion of electoral finances will be heard. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be ruled out from participating in the future campaign.

Future Implications

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, following a request by his attorneys. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his proceedings have set a damaging precedent.