Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail by a Paris court after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy related to his 2007 presidential campaign. The court ruled that he will serve time in prison even if he appeals the decision. This is an unprecedented punishment for a former French head of state in modern history.
The Conviction
A Paris court found Sarkozy guilty of a criminal conspiracy that took place between 2005 and 2007. The court’s finding was based on evidence that Sarkozy allowed his close associates to contact Libyan officials to seek campaign financing for his 2007 presidential bid. While the court did not find proof that a deal was made with former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, nor that money from Libya actually reached Sarkozy’s campaign, the judge concluded that Sarkozy was guilty of conspiracy for letting his aides try to get the funding. Sarkozy was acquitted of other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing.
The sentence is immediately enforceable, and Sarkozy is expected to be called upon to go to jail within a month. Despite the ruling, Sarkozy maintains his innocence and said he will appeal.
Sarkozy’s Other Legal Challenges
This is not the first legal setback for Sarkozy since he left office. He has faced a number of legal battles, including two other convictions:
- Bribery and Influence Peddling: In 2024, France’s highest court upheld a conviction against Sarkozy for trying to bribe a judge in 2014 to obtain information about a separate case. He was sentenced to wear an electronic tag for a year, which he has since served.
- Illegal Campaign Financing: An appeals court also confirmed a conviction for illegal campaign financing for his failed 2012 re-election bid, in which he was found to have exceeded spending limits. A final ruling from France’s highest court on this case is expected next month.
Impact on French Politics
The conviction is a historic moment for French politics. It marks the first time a former president in modern France has been sentenced to jail time. The ruling underscores a broader judicial scrutiny of high-profile political figures. Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy remains an influential figure in French right-wing politics and is a mentor to figures like current Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
