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As he arrived at the Parisian detention facility on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a declaration overflowing with opposition via social media, writing, "It's not a former president of the republic entering prison this morning, it's an wrongfully accused individual." The appeals judiciary will eventually decide regarding the accuracy of his claim. Yet sadly for Mr Sarkozy, the spectacle and significance of his decline cannot simply be wished away.

The Legal Judgment

President of France during the 2007-2012 term, the former president was convicted of unlawful plotting to obtain prohibited donations from the regime of the deceased Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Sentenced to a half-decade incarceration, he has emerged as the initial ex-head of an European Union nation to enter prison, and the initial French president since the shamed head of the Vichy regime, Philippe Pétain. Across France where the elected president enjoys a almost king-like position, this week's extraordinary spectacle was a historic occasion.

National Faith and Legal Consequences

In an era when trust in government bodies in France has collapsed to the extent where alarms are sounding, it was also a instructive example that no one is above the law. As per a study published recently, a majority of participants said that they thought a majority of government figures were unethical, and nearly nine out of 10 claimed that most operated primarily out of personal gain. In sentencing Mr Sarkozy and directing that his prison term should start immediately, the judge, Nathalie Gavarino, noted that she factored in both the exceptionally grave nature of the violations and the fact that they were "potentially erode citizens' trust."

Judicial Threats

These considerations might be deemed typical, especially given that Mr Sarkozy has before been convicted in distinct bribery proceedings. But the former president's case and its aftermath have troublingly exposed the scope to which in France, as in different nations, the legal system is threatened by a recently popular contempt for the judiciary and the try to influence of public opinion.

In Trumpian fashion, an exhaustive and meticulous legal process has been falsely depicted by his backers as a legal conspiracy and political retaliation. Subsequent to the decision in September, the ex-leader publicly criticized his sentence as unlawful and decried the "animosity" with "no boundaries" that allegedly motivated it. While high-ranking leaders and advocates from the traditional and radical have dominated media discussions and conservative press with the similar rhetoric, the judge has received multiple threats.

Citizen Reaction

Hearteningly, the citizens does not appear to be buying it. A survey after the ruling found significant majorities endorsing both the handling of Mr Sarkozy's trial and his punishment. Yet the spectacle, and the obvious try to undermine the reputation of the legal system, was very likely just a trial run. Next year, the National Rally figure's appeal against a judgment for diversion of electoral finances will take place. If the appeal fails, the far-right National Rally leader will be excluded from running in the future campaign.

Coming Consequences

Within a divided and skeptical country, that will be a risky period for the French judiciary to manage. Mr Sarkozy may yet be released before his own appeal, following a request by his legal team. Yet the irresponsible and baseless attacks on the judicial framework at all stages of his case have set a damaging precedent.