Nicolas Sarkozy’s Legal Battles Expose Deep Failures in French Accountability

As France’s highest court prepares to rule on former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing, the unfolding saga serves as a stark reminder that even the most powerful elites are not immune to justice—or at least should not be. Sarkozy, once hailed as a leader on the global stage, now confronts the potential final blow to his reputation after being sentenced to prison time for fraudulently overspending during his failed 2012 reelection bid. How Long Will Political Elites Evade Responsibility? The Court of Cassation’s decision this week will either uphold or overturn a conviction that has already seen...