Ex-president Sarkozy convicted: what does it mean?
A Paris court has found Nicolas Sarkozy guilty on the charge of criminal conspiracy in a trial over illegal campaign funding and sentenced him to five years in prison. The former president had been charged with having close associates try to secure funding for his 2007 election campaign from former Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi. Commentators take stock.
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.”