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While he made his way at La Santé prison on Tuesday, the former French leader published a message brimming with opposition via social media, writing, "It's not a ex-leader of the nation facing incarceration this morning, but rather an innocent man." A court of appeal will eventually rule on the accuracy of that statement. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and importance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Guilty Verdict

President of France between 2007 and 2012, the former president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to acquire illegal financing from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a half-decade incarceration, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of wartime France, the Vichy leader. Across France where the elected president enjoys a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's extraordinary spectacle was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has plummeted to the point where the lights are flashing red, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. In a poll issued this week, a majority of participants stated that they believed a large number of elected officials were dishonest, and almost 90% reported that the majority behaved predominantly out of self-interest. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his prison term should begin without delay, the judge, the judge, declared that she factored in both the exceptionally grave nature of the offences and the fact that they were "likely to undermine public confidence."

Courtroom Struggles

Those thoughts might be considered unexceptional, particularly since that the ex-president has in the past been sentenced in other graft trials. Yet the legal proceedings and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the degree to which in France, as in other countries, the legal system is endangered by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the try to influence of the popular view.

In Trumpian fashion, an comprehensive and precise court case has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a legal conspiracy and political retaliation. Subsequent to the decision in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his judgment as illegal and decried the "hatred" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. Since prominent officials and advocates from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has been subjected to various menaces.

Public Response

Reassuringly, the population largely rejects this narrative. Research following the judgment found clear majorities backing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the court system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. Next year, Marine Le Pen's legal challenge against a guilty verdict for misuse of campaign money will take place. If the appeal fails, the political candidate will be ruled out from running in the upcoming election.

Long-term Effects

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the court system at all stages of his case have established a harmful example.