A prison sentence against former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has increased divisions in France regarding judges’ dealings with political violations, months before the leader of the extremist right, Marine Le Pen, sought to challenge her condemnation of embezzlement and run for the presidency of the Republic.
A Paris court shocked the political scene on Thursday, when a five -year prison prison sentenced to criminal conspiracy for his attempt to raise funds for his election campaign from Libya, and he will soon become the first former president in France to enter the post -war prison.
Ludovik Farah, head of the largest union representing French prosecutors and judges, said that the ruling proves that no one is above the law, even if some choose to question the motives of the court.
He added: «This decision will have a clear impact, and it will distinguish between what the situation was before its issuance and beyond. In prominent political and financial trials, some definitely see that judges interfere in political affairs. What I regret is that this often turns into a curtain that distracts attention from the crimes committed already. ”
Sarkozy confirmed his innocence again while leaving the court, and said that the ruling would undermine confidence in the French judiciary.
He added, “What happened today … is a very dangerous matter for the rule of law, and the confidence that the justice system can provide.”
The prison sentence against Sarkozy is immediately executed, while giving the former president a short time to arrange his affairs, but he will not be allowed to avoid entering the prison pending the appeal, as happened to some French politicians in the past.
Lawyers and politicians told Reuters that the appeal may take years, which gives a feeling of impunity among those with influences, so the judges have been issuing the provisions of “temporary implementation” pending a final decision or completing appeals.
Luban was sentenced to “temporary implementation” in March, after being convicted of embezzling money from the European Union. It was sentenced to prevent political activity for a period of five years, which deprives her of candidacy in the 2027 elections.
Le Pen, who will determine the appeal that will be submitted in January if it could run in the 2027 elections, said that Sarkozy’s condemnation showed that “the generalization of temporary implementation by some judicial states represents a great danger.”
Judicial sources said that the two cases of Le Pen and Sarkozy are separate, and it is assertive to the assertion of how the effect of one on the other.
Faria confirmed that Sarkozy’s ruling showed that the judges would not hesitate to punish political crime.
“I understand its anxiety,” he said, stressing that he does not know what the Court of Appeal will decide.
