PARIS: The Paris Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy for illegal campaign financing during his unsuccessful 2012 re-election bid. The decision confirms the ruling of a lower court in the high-profile corruption case, widely known as the “Bygmalion affair.”
According to reports from broadcaster BFMTV, the Paris Court of Appeal affirmed Sarkozy’s guilt in the illegal campaign financing scheme. However, while maintaining his one-year prison sentence, the appeals court reduced the term, with half of it being suspended. Notably, Sarkozy has the option to fulfill the sentence through alternative means, such as wearing an electronic bracelet, without serving time behind bars.
Campaign Finance Case Against Sarkozy
Sarkozy’s legal troubles stem from allegations that his party at the time, Les Republicains (formerly known as UMP), collaborated with the public relations firm Bygmalion to conceal the true costs of his 2012 campaign. The lavish events associated with his campaign raised eyebrows in French political circles.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Sarkozy consistently denied personal involvement in the financial dealings of his campaign, placing blame on certain members of his campaign team. He reiterated this stance during a hearing, stating, “I didn’t choose any supplier, I didn’t sign any quotation, any invoice.”
France maintains stringent regulations regarding campaign spending, with prosecutors alleging that Bygmalion invoiced UMP rather than the campaign itself. The prosecution contends that Sarkozy exceeded the permitted campaign spending limit by nearly double, amounting to $45.8 million (42.8 million euros).
Despite the conviction and ongoing legal battles, Sarkozy remains an influential figure within conservative circles and maintains a cordial relationship with current President Emmanuel Macron.
