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As he was transported at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, the former French leader published a message filled with opposition via social media, stating, "It's not a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed this morning, but rather an innocent man." An appellate court will eventually rule on the accuracy of that statement. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and impact of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

President of France from 2007 to 2012, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to secure illegal financing from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an EU member state to enter prison, and the initial French president since the disgraced head of the Vichy regime, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader holds a almost king-like position, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a seminal moment.

Citizen Confidence and Legal Accountability

At a time when confidence in political systems in France has plummeted to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. As per a study published recently, two-thirds of respondents indicated that they thought a majority of politicians were dishonest, and the vast majority said that many behaved predominantly out of self-interest. While judging the former president and mandating that his incarceration should begin without delay, the court official, the judicial authority, noted that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the crimes and the fact that they were "potentially erode the people's faith."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be seen as ordinary, particularly since that the ex-president has before been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. Yet the legal proceedings and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the extent to which within the nation, as in other countries, the judicial framework is endangered by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the attempted manipulation of public opinion.

Using divisive tactics, an comprehensive and precise court case has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and political retaliation. Following the ruling recently, the ex-leader publicly criticized his judgment as unlawful and decried the "animosity" with "no limits" that allegedly motivated it. As prominent officials and supporters from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and conservative press with the same talking points, the judge has received multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Reassuringly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities endorsing both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his punishment. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was in all likelihood merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the National Rally figure's court petition against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances 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

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his case have established a harmful example.