France’s highest court has upheld former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing in 2012. The ruling, which was delivered on Wednesday, confirms the guilty verdict that was previously handed down in a 2024 trial. This conviction, which relates to his failed 2012 reelection bid, means that Sarkozy is now facing the consequences of his actions. The case, known as the Bygmalion affair, involved an events company that organized extravagant rallies for Sarkozy under the guise of party conventions, attempting to circumvent the election financing cap.
Sarkozy, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was previously convicted in a separate case of plotting to obtain secret campaign funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his 2007 election bid. He later championed the NATO-backed intervention that toppled Gaddafi and plunged the country into chaos. The court decision also upheld Sarkozy’s one-year prison sentence, half of which is suspended, meaning it can be served at home with a monitoring device. The Court of Cessation is the last line of appeal within the French judicial system, meaning that Sarkozy is now out of options to further contest the conviction.
The case has been widely followed in France, as it reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to hold former leaders accountable for alleged corruption. The ruling is significant, as it represents the final stage of the judicial process for Sarkozy. It is expected to have a lasting impact on his political career, as he is no longer able to run for office in France. The case is also important for the country as a whole, as it underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public life.