France’s highest appeals court, the Court of Cassation, on Wednesday upheld a corruption and influence-peddling conviction against former President Nicolas Sarkozy, making him the first former French head of state to face such a penalty. Sarkozy, 69, is now required to wear an electronic monitoring device for a year as part of his sentence.
The conviction stems from a 2021 ruling by a lower court that found Sarkozy guilty of forming a “corruption pact” with his lawyer, Thierry Herzog, and Judge Gilbert Azibert. The trio was accused of attempting to exchange confidential information about a legal investigation for promises of career favors. Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in total—two years suspended, with one year to be served under electronic surveillance. An appeals court upheld this decision in 2022, and Wednesday’s ruling marks the final legal step in France.
Following the Court of Cassation’s decision, Sarkozy’s lawyer, Patrice Spinosi, announced that the former president plans to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). However, this appeal will not delay the enforcement of the penalty in France.
Spinosi expressed disappointment with the ruling, describing it as a “sad day” and a moment that highlights the irony of a former president being forced to appeal to a European court against the very state he once led. Despite the setback, Sarkozy has consistently maintained his innocence.
Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, has faced numerous legal troubles since leaving office. In addition to the current case—known as the "Bismuth" case—he faces allegations of campaign finance violations and claims of receiving illicit Libyan funding during his 2007 presidential campaign.
Despite these controversies, Sarkozy remains a significant figure in French politics, particularly on the right. He is said to wield influence behind the scenes, maintaining connections with President Emmanuel Macron and other key political figures.
Sarkozy reportedly continues to play a role in shaping political decisions. According to AFP, he recently visited the Elysee Palace to discourage Macron from appointing centrist François Bayrou as prime minister—a move Sarkozy strongly opposed. Despite his efforts, Macron ultimately appointed Bayrou after weeks of deliberation.
The conviction and its repercussions may complicate Sarkozy’s legacy, but his influence within French politics endures, even as he fights legal battles on multiple fronts.
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