France’s top court upholds Sarkozy’s conviction over 2012 campaign spending

France’s Court of Cassation has upheld former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing during his 2012 re-election bid, closing the door on any further appeals and marking a significant setback for the former leader’s political legacy. The ruling confirms a lower court’s decision that Sarkozy unlawfully exceeded legal spending limits in his attempt to secure a second term in office.

The court’s decision makes final his one-year prison sentence, with six months suspended. Under French law, the sentence does not have to be served in a traditional prison setting. Instead, the former president is expected to complete it under home confinement with electronic monitoring or other conditions determined by a judge. The arrangement reflects standard sentencing guidelines for non-violent offences in France.

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has long denied any wrongdoing. The case centres on what is widely known as the Bygmalion affair, in which prosecutors alleged that Sarkozy’s campaign orchestrated a scheme to conceal overspending by disguising political expenses as payments for corporate events. Investigators said the campaign exceeded the legal spending cap by millions of euros through falsified invoices. While Sarkozy was not accused of organising the scheme himself, the court ruled that he was aware of the escalating expenses and failed to stop the campaign from surpassing the legal limit.

The former president’s defence team had argued that he was not directly involved in the financial management of the campaign and therefore should not be held responsible for the misuse of funds. However, the court reaffirmed that as the candidate, he had an obligation to ensure compliance with campaign finance laws. The ruling concludes a lengthy legal process that began years after his unsuccessful reelection bid.

This latest conviction adds to the series of legal setbacks that have shadowed Sarkozy since leaving office. In a separate corruption case, he was previously found guilty of influence peddling and is currently appealing that decision. Together, the cases have significantly affected his public standing and diminished any remaining speculation about a potential political comeback. Analysts say the rulings mark a clear departure from the era when former presidents often enjoyed broad public respect even after leaving office.

Despite the controversies, Sarkozy remains a high-profile figure in French politics, frequently commenting on national issues and maintaining support within segments of the conservative party. However, the finalisation of this conviction may further complicate his role as a political voice and advisor, especially as France approaches key electoral cycles.

Legal experts note that while the sentence is largely symbolic, the court’s ruling underscores the seriousness with which France enforces campaign finance regulations. The case serves as a reminder that political figures are not exempt from accountability and that violations of spending rules can carry significant consequences.

As Sarkozy begins the process of serving his sentence under judicial supervision, the ruling brings a definitive close to one chapter of a political career that once shaped French leadership but has since become defined as much by legal battles as by electoral achievements.