Ex-president Sarkozy convicted: what are the implications?
In a trial over illegal campaign funding a Paris court has found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty on the charge of criminal conspiracy and sentenced him to five years in prison. The former president was accused of having close associates try to secure funding from former Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi for his 2007 election campaign. Commentators take stock.
A warning and an inspiration
The Sarkozy case is a reminder that no sacred cows should exist in a mature system, Politis emphasises:
“Here in Cyprus, the idea that former presidents or high-ranking officials are untouchable is still very widespread. ... In France, the judiciary acted decisively and without hesitation. And the case in France was not just about the conviction of a former president, the once powerful Sarkozy. It sent the message that citizens have the right to know how their politics are financed. ... The Sarkozy case is a reminder of another important point: that political decision makers can be held accountable even after their term in office, and that justice has no expiry date. ... Sarkozy's conviction serves as a warning and an inspiration.”
Serious blow for France
L'Opinion finds the judgement worrying:
“The damage caused by this ruling will be immense: both for those who feel vindicated in their belief that 'everyone has skeletons in their closet' and whose hatred of the elites will only increase and for those who, on the contrary, have been reinforced in their view that the judges have long had Nicolas Sarkozy in their sights and that the threat of the rule of politicised judges has become a reality. In any case, this is a serious blow to France's image.”
Typical Western hypocrisy
It was not only Sarkozy who behaved disgracefully in his dealings with Libya, Večernji list complains:
“This case is a prime example of what the countries of the so-called Global South call typical Western hypocrisy. ... Although France formally favours democratic values and human rights, Sarkozy, who was interior minister at the time, demanded money from the Libyan dictator Gaddafi for his presidential election campaign only to join in the efforts to remove him afterwards. The West's decision to intervene militarily in Libya is still the subject of fierce controversy and criticism today, and instead of undergoing a democratic transition Libya has descended into bloody chaos.”
The rule of law works in France
This is a landmark verdict, writes Oliver Meiler, France correspondent for the Süddeutsche Zeitung:
“France has seen its fair share of criminal affairs and scandals throughout its history. In particular involving politicians. But the sentencing of a former president to five years in prison for belonging to a gang of criminals who wanted to secure the funds and favour of Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, as the Paris court found, is a very big deal indeed. ... Sarkozy now speaks of a 'scandal', saying the verdict has 'extremely serious implications for the rule of law'. But in fact the opposite is the case. Despite the pressure tactics of the former president and the tricks of his lawyers, the rule of law has shown that it is alive and kicking in France.”
Verdict reflects hubris of the judiciary
The judges are taking revenge on the former president, Le Figaro suspects:
“There was talk of millions, yet no one saw any of it. Nor was there any personal enrichment on the part of the former head of state. ... Everything about this bizarre, contradictory verdict is incomprehensible. ... Except perhaps the view that it reflects the hubris of the judiciary. ... Is Nicolas Sarkozy paying the price for his former unkind words about the judiciary? Is he the victim of a political vendetta? ... The left may sneer, but the image of France as the homeland of human rights hasn't exactly been enhanced.”
A role model no more
El País sees France moving towards fundamental changes:
“This is an unprecedented decision of maximum relevance because it is the first time a former head of state has been sent to prison. ... With this decision the French judicial system has dispelled all doubts about its independence, and it has done so with a person who still wields great influence. ... Sarkozy remains a key figure for the French conservatives. ... Now nothing can justify the French right continuing to hold up as a role model a politician who pompously waved the banner of honesty, order and the fight against crime but has now been convicted of corruption. ... With just eighteen months to go before the presidential elections, this is an opportunity to renew a system threatened by the far right.”
Little reason to rejoice
The verdict is actually cause for concern, Libération counters:
“It's clear that this scandal has only served to deepen the rift between the French people and their political representatives. ... French democracy is becoming bogged down in this rift, with the long-term winner being the far right, which has never been so close to power. ... Behind Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction lies the impression that 'everyone has skeletons in their closet'. And that's no laughing matter. In fact the only reason to rejoice is the independence of the judiciary. One need only look across the Atlantic to remember how precious - but also how fragile - this independence is.”
He'll go to prison - but not for long
Yuri Safronov, Paris correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, explains what the verdict actually means for Sarkozy:
“The 'committal order' means that Sarkozy will indeed have to serve a prison sentence. But thanks to its 'deferred' implementation, unlike other convicts he will not have to go to prison immediately. Since, in the court's opinion, 'there is no flight risk', the financial public prosecutor's office will set a date for him to report to prison within a month. ... The public doesn't yet know how long he will remain behind bars, but it probably won't be very long. Because he's over 70 years old, he can apply immediately for a reduction in his sentence or release on parole.”