What does former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction mean for France?

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What does former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction mean for France?  Sarkozy received a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy in a complex scheme allegedly involving the former Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi.   READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/09/25/what-does-former-french-president-nicolas-sarkozys-conviction-mean-for-france  Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages

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00:00It's a truly historic and shocking decision.

00:03A Paris court sentenced former President Nicolas Sarkozy this Thursday to five years in prison

00:10for criminal conspiracy in an alleged scheme to finance his 2007 presidential election campaign

00:19using Libyan money in exchange for diplomatic favours.

00:24However, the former French president was acquitted of the other three charges.

00:30But what's really striking about this Thursday's decision is that the judge requested for a deferred detention order with immediate effect.

00:39This means that Nicolas Sarkozy will be summoned on October 13 to find out about the date and conditions of his incarceration,

00:49which cannot be avoided even if he appeals.

00:53His imprisonment would be a first in French modern political history.

00:58But at 70 years old, however, the former French president could request a conditional release.

01:05Here are some of his first words after he found out about the sentencing.

01:10I ask the French to vote or not for me, to support me or not, to appreciate what just happened.

01:24The court also imposed a final decision.

01:54A five-year ban from holding public office as well as a 100,000 euro fine.

02:00The judge said that they could not prove that Libyan money ultimately funded Sarkozy's 2007 campaign,

02:09but emphasised that conspiring to commit corruption is a crime in itself under French law.

02:15Sarkozy said that he plans to appeal this decision.

02:20This verdict adds to Sarkozy's growing legal troubles.

02:24He has already been convicted in two other cases.

02:28The Big Malian affair for his 2012 illegal presidential campaign financing,

02:34as well as the so-called abysmuth case involving corruption and influence peddling.

02:40Sofia Katzenkova reporting from Paris for Euronews.

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