The news will undoubtedly continue to agitate the political class. Sentenced to three years in prison, including one year to be executed under an electronic bracelet, for corruption and influence peddling in the wiretapping affair, Nicolas Sarkozy received the support of a few voices on the right.
Starting with Éric Ciotti, who, at the headquarters of the Les Républicains party, and on the occasion of the first meeting of his “counter-government”, welcomed “this decision of the Court of Appeal with great sadness”. “I am thinking of Nicolas Sarkozy, what he represents for France, first estimated the president of the right-wing party. I measure the ordeal for him and I tell him my friendly thoughts in these difficult times. Asked about this court decision, Éric Ciotti replied: “Justice has spoken. I don’t have to comment on it. I repeat my friendly support for Nicolas Sarkozy.”
On Twitter, the senator from Paris and friend of the former head of state Pierre Charon lamented: “A conversation between a lawyer and his client cannot be used against his client! It is an essential principle that underlies all work of justice. If now we confuse intention and corruption, we can put half of the French in prison!”
Olivier Marleix, president of the LR deputies in the National Assembly, was also moved: “Illegal wiretapping, an extraordinary investigation, in the end the simple suspicion of an “attempt” of crime… Yes, obviously, Nicolas Sarkozy is the victim of relentlessness,” wrote the deputy for Eure-et-Loir on Twitter, reiterating the “esteem” and “affection” he has for Nicolas Sarkozy.
MEP Nadine Morano also shared a message on social networks: “Nicolas Sarkozy will never give up demonstrating his innocence!” And if the historic member of the Republicans recognizes that “the journey is long”, Morano assures: “I know his strength and I believe in his courage and his probity!”
Invited on CNews, the former special adviser to Nicolas Sarkozy Henri Guaino dropped: “We are not going to redo the file, I don’t even want to comment on this story anymore… because words fail me.” The pen of the former head of state continues: “Everyone must reflect on where our democracy, our Republic, takes us, if the institutions behave in this way, the judicial institution in particular. (…) Everyone must show discernment, weigh the pros and cons, especially when he is a judge.”
The left, more discreet, still reacted to this condemnation. “I love the LRs in chorus commenting on the discredit of the judicial decision”, quipped the socialist senator Marie-Pierre de La Gontrie. “After this condemnation by the Court of Appeal, in particular to the deprivation of his civil rights, can Nicolas Sarkozy remain a member (of right) of the Constitutional Council?” The president of the environmental group in the Senate, Guillaume Gontard, less talkative, reacted simply: “Zero tolerance.”
