Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has had his Legion of Honour, France’s highest distinction, removed. This decision followed his conviction for public corruption. This outcome is part of a string of legal challenges that has followed Sarkozy ever since he vacated the presidential office.
Sarkozy’s Legion of Honour has been withdrawn. This newly imposed ban comes after his conviction for influence peddling and corruption. A conviction that was finalized by a lower court in 2021. The court’s conclusion rested largely on the fact that he tried to bribe a judge during his own corrupt activities. The highly-coveted award has rigid criteria. If a recipient is subject to a prison sentence of one year or more, they will be removed from the order.
This month, Sarkozy’s judicial supervision officially came to an end with the cancellation of his electronic ankle tag. 12 months had previously been ordered to be worn as part of his sentencing. His legal troubles are anything but over. As of this writing, he is on trial. Prosecutors say that during his unsuccessful campaign to return to office in 2012, he accepted illegal campaign financing from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Prosecutors in this case are asking for a seven-year prison sentence.
Sarkozy’s lawyer, Patrice Spinosi, said upon the granting award being rescinded. He did stress that they are still very much in the process of appealing with the European Court of Human Rights.
“It is very important that former presidents are respected.” – Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out against the removal of former President Sarkozy’s honour. This comes against a backdrop of the continuing drama of Sarkozy’s ongoing legal woes. Whether or not by design, Macron’s remarks speak to the challenges and sensitivities inherent in working with former heads of state.
Sarkozy is clearly trying to play offense and control the narrative in the very serious judicial marathon ongoing for him. The court’s ruling on one of his cases is expected this coming September. These trials have the potential to make or break his legacy. They could change his public perception in France, where he once enjoyed a great deal of political capital.