From president to prisoner: the takeaways from the Sarkozy case?
Nicolas Sarkozy has been in prison since Tuesday. The former French president was convicted in September on charges of criminal conspiracy in a trial over illegal campaign financing. A court ruled that the 70-year-old had to begin serving his five-year prison sentence despite his having lodged an appeal. Europe's press highlights the social dimensions of this French case without precedent.
No one is above the law
That Sarkozy is actually having to serve his prison sentence is vital for the French people's trust in the legal system, The Guardian stresses:
“At a time when faith in political institutions in France has collapsed to the point where the lights are flashing red, it was also a salutary demonstration that no one is above the law. In a poll published on Tuesday in Le Monde newspaper, two-thirds of respondents said that they believed a majority of politicians were corrupt, and nearly nine out of 10 said that most acted mainly out of self-interest.”
France at odds over the verdict
There are two diametrically opposed perspectives on the judgement in France, writes Polityka:
“The right wing around Marine Le Pen sees it as proof of the politicisation of the judiciary. The left is of the opinion that the judiciary is merely fulfilling its duties and that they can be proud of the fact that in France even high-ranking politicians are treated no differently to ordinary citizens.”
Mirroring conflict between masses and elite
The desire for revenge is playing a key role here, La Repubblica is convinced:
“What we're seeing is a widespread movement of revenge and retribution that is typical of the centuries-old conflict between the people and the elite. Now, however, it is being radicalised by the spirit of the times. ... This acute tension between 'the masses' and the ruling classes is the key factor in all populist politics, both on the right and left. In this scenario, Sarkozy's imprisonment provides an opportunity to channel many of the sentiments that characterise French society: from 'rebellion without a cause' to hatred of the rich and powerful, from contempt for politics and politicians to hostility towards the cosmopolitanism that is typical of the ruling classes.”
Lacking critical distance
Investigative journalist Fabrice Arfi, who uncovered details leading to Sarkozy's conviction, accuses the media of superficiality in their coverage of the case. He writes in Mediapart:
“Early in the morning, TV and radio stations were on location to cover the Sarkozy clan's last PR coup before he went to jail - yet again fully adopting the narrative set by his defence. ... By the afternoon, just a few hours after Sarkozy had crossed the threshold of La Santé Prison, the news channels had already moved on to the next topic. As always, the television and radio broadcasters which had largely avoided the courtroom during the three months of the Lybian campaign finance trial were only interested in the consequences - the conviction and imprisonment - but never in the causes.”
Standard procedure
Rudolf Balmer, France correspondent for taz newspaper, says it's only fair that Sarkozy, like any other criminal, must go to prison before his appeal is ruled on:
“The court orders this if there is reason to fear that further crimes could be committed, if there is a risk of flight, or if there is a risk of evidence being destroyed or witnesses being influenced. These criteria apply in Sarkozy's case. ... Even if his fans are outraged by what they see as a case of lèse-majesté, Sarkozy is being treated according to standard procedure. As long as he has not been definitively convicted he can maintain his innocence. But the facts remain: Sarkozy has been convicted in several trials. Too many for him to go on playing the victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice.”
The real loser is the justice system
For Le Figaro, the conviction is the result of arbitrariness and a desire for ideological revenge:
“Even his opponents acknowledge that Nicolas Sarkozy has displayed a combination of dignity, eloquence and novellesque temperament in this crisis. ... As he himself has said: it is not his freedom that is at stake, but his innocence. ... This affair is now bigger than him - bigger than the judges who handed down the verdict. It has exposed the judiciary to the suspicion of arbitrariness, ideological revenge and a desire for power: have the scales of justice been thrown off balance? When Nicolas Sarkozy enters prison he will temporarily lose his freedom, but the judiciary will lose its credibility for a long time to come.”
A sign of independence
Not the verdict but Sarkozy's illegal actions should be the focus of attention, Libération stresses:
“The aim of all the fuss is of course to divert our attention from the fact that a former president of France has been sentenced to five years in prison for being part of a criminal organisation. A conviction that gives no cause for celebration. But also a conviction that there is no reason not to recognise. Because it was handed down by an independent judiciary that was not swayed by all the clamour and fury over the 'lèse majesté' offence.”