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While he was transported at La Santé prison on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a statement filled with defiance via social media, writing, "This isn't a ex-leader of the republic who is being jailed today, it's an innocent man." A court of appeal will eventually rule on the veracity of this assertion. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and significance of his decline cannot be ignored.

The Legal Judgment

France's leader during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was found guilty of illegal collaboration to obtain prohibited donations from the government of the former Libyan ruler, the Libyan strongman. Given a five-year sentence, he has become the pioneering past president of an EU country to go behind bars, and the earliest French head of state since the dishonored head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the chosen leader enjoys a near-royal standing, this week's remarkable event was a defining instance.

National Faith and Judicial Responsibility

During a period when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the point where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that the law applies to all. According to a survey released on Tuesday, over 65% of those surveyed stated that they felt a majority of politicians were dishonest, and the vast majority said that most operated primarily out of self-interest. While judging Mr Sarkozy and mandating that his sentence should start immediately, the presiding magistrate, the judicial authority, noted that she factored in both the extremely serious character of the offences and the fact that they were "potentially erode the people's faith."

Courtroom Struggles

Such reflections might be considered unexceptional, notably because that the ex-president has before been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its fallout have disturbingly laid bare the scope to which within the nation, as in other countries, the judicial framework is threatened by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of societal perspectives.

Using divisive tactics, an exhaustive and meticulous judicial procedure has been groundlessly presented by Mr Sarkozy's supporters as a judicial plot and political retaliation. Following the ruling recently, the former president openly condemned his punishment as unlawful and condemned the "animosity" with "no restraints" that supposedly drove it. As prominent officials and backers from the conservative and extremist have filled the airwaves and right-leaning media with the same talking points, Ms Gavarino has been subjected to various menaces.

Citizen Reaction

Reassuringly, the public does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities supporting both the proceedings of the courtroom process and his punishment. But the drama, and the obvious try to weaken the standing of the judicial system, was very likely only a preliminary test. During winter, the National Rally figure's legal challenge against a guilty verdict for misuse of campaign money will take place. If the appeal fails, the far-right National Rally leader will be ruled out from running in the upcoming election.

Coming Consequences

In a polarised and mistrustful nation, that will be a dangerous time for the national legal system to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released prior to his appeal hearing, after an application by his attorneys. However the reckless and unfounded criticisms on the judicial framework at all stages of his trial have created a negative standard.