Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Five-Year Prison Sentence for Campaign Finance Conspiracy

Paris, France — October 21, 2025

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has officially begun serving a five-year prison sentence after being found guilty in a high-profile campaign finance conspiracy case, marking an extraordinary chapter in French political history.

The verdict, handed down by a Paris court earlier this month, concluded a lengthy investigation into illegal campaign spending tied to Sarkozy’s 2012 presidential campaign, where prosecutors alleged that he exceeded France’s strict campaign financing limits through an elaborate system of false invoices and concealed expenses.

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated. Despite his appeals, the country’s highest court upheld the sentence, leading to his transfer to custody this week.

According to court documents, Sarkozy’s campaign team orchestrated a scheme known as the “Bygmalion affair,” named after the public relations firm that allegedly helped disguise millions of euros in excess spending. While several of his associates were also convicted, Sarkozy’s role as the campaign’s ultimate decision-maker was deemed central to the case.

This marks the first time in modern French history that a former head of state will serve a prison sentence for corruption and financial crimes. Sarkozy had previously received a separate conviction in 2021 for attempting to bribe a judge, further compounding the legal troubles that have overshadowed his post-presidential years.

Sarkozy began serving his sentence under house arrest with electronic monitoring, but the court later ruled that the severity of the offenses warranted incarceration. He is expected to serve part of his term in a secure facility near Paris.

Despite the conviction, Sarkozy remains a polarizing figure in French politics — admired by supporters for his leadership and economic reforms, yet criticized by opponents who view his administration as emblematic of political excess.

As France reacts to the sentencing of one of its most prominent leaders, the case continues to stir debate about accountability, privilege, and justice at the highest levels of government.

Author: M.J