France's Court of Cassation Upholds Sarkozy Campaign Finance Conviction
France's Court of Cassation upholds Nicolas Sarkozy's campaign finance conviction, ordering six months with an electronic bracelet and six months suspended during appeals.
A French court on Wednesday upheld former President Nicolas Sarkozy's conviction over illegal financing of his 2012 re-election bid. The ruling underscores France's ongoing scrutiny of political campaign spending.
In a decision from the Court of Cassation, Sarkozy's one-year sentence, handed in 2024, includes six months in prison suspended and six months served under electronic monitoring.
The case centers on an overrun campaign budget and a scheme to hide costs by having the UMP party invoice the campaign through a public relations firm, Bygmalion.
Prosecutors say Sarkozy's party spent almost double the €22.5 million cap on campaigning, and Bygmalion invoices were used to conceal the overspending. Sarkozy, 70, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
This ruling marks Sarkozy's second definitive conviction; he previously received a corruption verdict in December and a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy, of which he served 20 days before his release. An appeal is pending, and Sarkozy remains under strict judicial supervision, including a travel ban outside France.
Days after his release, Sarkozy announced plans to publish a memoir about his prison experience, titled A Prisoner's Diary, with excerpts circulating on social media.
Key Takeaways
- France's highest court confirms Sarkozy's campaign finance conviction.
- Penalty includes six months on electronic monitoring and six months suspended.
- The case centers on the Bygmalion invoicing scheme masking overspending beyond the €22.5 million cap.
- Sarkozy's prior convictions contribute to ongoing legal exposure; an appeal is underway.
Expert comment
An independent political analyst said the ruling reinforces France's commitment to enforcing campaign finance rules and that Sarkozy's legal challenges are far from over as appeals proceed.
Summary
The Court of Cassation's decision keeps Sarkozy under judicial supervision while his legal avenues unfold. The case highlights ongoing debates over campaign finance rules in France and adds to the complex legacy of Sarkozy's time in office. The former president also signaled plans for a memoir detailing his prison experience, reflecting continued media interest in his career.
Key insight: The ruling demonstrates that France will vigorously enforce campaign finance laws, reinforcing accountability for political actors at the highest level. Source: BBC News.