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While he arrived at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a declaration brimming with defiance via social media, asserting, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic entering prison today, but rather an innocent man." An appellate court will eventually give its view the truthfulness of this assertion. But unfortunately for the ex-president, the spectacle and significance of his fall cannot be dismissed.

The Conviction

France's leader from 2007 to 2012, the former president was convicted of illegal collaboration to acquire illegal financing from the government of the deceased Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a five-year prison term, he has emerged as the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Across France where the chosen leader holds a quasi-monarchical status, the recent unprecedented scene was a historic occasion.

Public Trust and Judicial Responsibility

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a salutary demonstration that everyone is subject to the law. As per a study published recently, a majority of participants said that they felt a majority of elected officials were dishonest, and almost 90% said that most acted mainly out of self-interest. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his prison term should commence promptly, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, said 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."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has before been convicted in other graft trials. But the former president's case and its fallout have alarmingly revealed the extent to which in France, as in various states, the rule of law is threatened by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of the popular view.

Following a populist playbook, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a courtroom scheme and ideological revenge. After the verdict recently, the former president openly condemned his judgment as unlawful and condemned the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. As high-ranking leaders and advocates from the right and far right have saturated public discourse and right-leaning media with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has obtained numerous death threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the citizens largely rejects this narrative. A survey after the ruling found clear majorities endorsing both the conduct of the legal case and his conviction. However the turmoil, and the blatant effort to undermine the reputation of the judicial system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the National Rally figure's appeal against a conviction for misuse of campaign money will take place. Should she lose it, the conservative figure will be disqualified from competing in the upcoming election.

Future Implications

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy could still be freed prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his proceedings have created a negative standard.