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As he arrived at La Santé prison this week, Nicolas Sarkozy shared a message brimming with opposition via social media, asserting, "This isn't a former president of the republic facing incarceration this morning, it's an innocent man." An appellate court will in time give its view the veracity of this assertion. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the turmoil and significance of his downfall cannot be dismissed.

The Conviction

The French head of state during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was judged culpable of illegal collaboration to secure illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Sentenced to a five-year prison term, he has been recorded as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to be imprisoned, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. Within a nation where the democratically selected head of state enjoys a near-royal standing, the recent extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

Citizen Confidence and Legal Accountability

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has declined drastically to the extent where the lights are flashing red, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. According to a survey published this week, two-thirds of respondents stated that they thought a large number of politicians were corrupt, and the vast majority claimed that most acted mainly out of personal gain. When convicting Mr Sarkozy and ordering that his sentence should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "potentially erode citizens' trust."

Judicial Threats

Those thoughts might be seen as ordinary, notably because that Mr Sarkozy has previously been found guilty in distinct bribery proceedings. However the former president's case and its consequences have alarmingly revealed the degree to which in France, as in different nations, the legal system is threatened by a newly fashionable disrespect toward legal institutions and the effort to control of societal perspectives.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been baselessly portrayed by the former president's allies as a legal conspiracy and ideological revenge. After the verdict in September, the former president effectively denounced his punishment as illegal and decried the "hostility" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. Since prominent officials and supporters from the traditional and radical have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has received various menaces.

Public Response

Encouragingly, the population largely rejects this narrative. Research following the judgment found clear majorities endorsing both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his sentencing. But the turmoil, and the blatant effort to weaken the standing of the judicial system, was most probably merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the far-right leader's court petition against a conviction for diversion of electoral finances will occur. If the appeal fails, the conservative figure will be ruled out from running in the future campaign.

Future Implications

Across a fragmented and doubtful society, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to handle. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released ahead of his next legal challenge, subsequent to a petition by his attorneys. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework before, during and after his trial have created a negative standard.