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As he made his way at the Parisian detention facility this week, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a statement brimming with resistance via social media, stating, "This isn't a former president of the nation entering prison this morning, it's an innocent man." An appellate court is set to give its view the accuracy of his claim. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and impact of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

The French head of state between 2007 and 2012, the former president was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to obtain illegal financing from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a half-decade incarceration, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an EU member state to go behind bars, and the initial French president since the shamed head of wartime France, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the chosen leader possesses a quasi-monarchical status, this week's remarkable event was a seminal moment.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has plummeted to the extent where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that everyone is subject to the law. In a poll published this week, a majority of participants stated that they believed a most of elected officials were corrupt, and almost 90% claimed that most acted mainly out of personal gain. When convicting the former president and mandating that his sentence should commence promptly, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, declared that she took into account both the profoundly severe aspect of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Legal Challenges

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has in the past been sentenced in separate corruption cases. But the legal proceedings and its aftermath have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the judicial framework is jeopardized by a increasingly common disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an thorough and detailed court case has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling last month, the ex-leader openly condemned his sentence as unlawful and censured the "hatred" with "no limits" that supposedly drove it. Since senior politicians and supporters from the traditional and radical have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the same talking points, the judge has obtained multiple threats.

Societal Feedback

Hearteningly, the public seems unconvinced. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities supporting both the handling of the legal case and his sentencing. But the turmoil, and the naked attempt to damage the credibility of the judicial system, was very likely just a trial run. During winter, Marine Le Pen's appeal against a guilty verdict for embezzlement of political funds will be heard. If unsuccessful, the conservative figure will be disqualified from competing in the upcoming election.

Future Implications

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a perilous moment for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy might eventually exit prior to his appeal hearing, after an application by his legal team. But the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the legal system throughout his proceedings have established a harmful example.