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While he made his way at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a statement overflowing with opposition via social media, stating, "It's not a former president of the nation who is being jailed this morning, but rather an wrongfully accused individual." A court of appeal will in time give its view the accuracy of his claim. Yet sadly for the ex-president, the drama and importance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.

The Conviction

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, Mr Sarkozy was found guilty of unlawful plotting to secure illicit campaign funds from the administration of the former Libyan ruler, Muammar Gaddafi. Given a five-year sentence, he has become the initial ex-head of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of wartime France, Marshal Pétain. In a country where the chosen leader possesses a quasi-monarchical status, Tuesday's unprecedented scene was a defining instance.

Public Trust and Legal Consequences

At a time when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the degree where alarms are sounding, it was also a sobering reminder that everyone is subject to the law. As per a study issued this week, a majority of participants said that they thought a most of politicians were corrupt, and the vast majority reported that many behaved predominantly out of personal gain. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and directing that his prison term should begin without delay, the presiding magistrate, Nathalie Gavarino, said that she took into account both the exceptionally grave nature of the violations and the fact that they were "could damage the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

These considerations might be considered unexceptional, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has before been convicted in separate corruption cases. Yet the Sarkozy trial and its consequences have troublingly exposed the scope to which in France, as in other countries, the rule of law is threatened by a newly fashionable disdain for courts and the effort to control of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an comprehensive and precise legal process has been falsely depicted by the former president's allies as a judicial plot and leftwing vendetta. Following the ruling last month, the former president openly condemned his punishment as unlawful and condemned the "hostility" with "no limits" that reportedly inspired it. While prominent officials and advocates from the right and far right have filled the airwaves and traditional outlets with the similar rhetoric, the judicial figure has been subjected to numerous death threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the public does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found comfortable majorities backing both the conduct of the courtroom process and his conviction. However the drama, and the naked attempt to weaken the standing of the judicial system, was in all likelihood merely a dress rehearsal. In January, the far-right leader's court petition against a judgment for diversion of electoral finances will occur. If unsuccessful, the political candidate will be disqualified from participating in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to navigate. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, subsequent to a petition by his lawyers. However the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the court system throughout his trial have set a damaging precedent.