Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to prison in second trial for violating election law. Mr.
Sarkozy is said to be close to President Macron, and his influence in French politics continues to be widely reported locally. He is also on trial for charges including receiving illegal campaign funds from Libya's Colonel Gaddafi during the 2007 presidential election. He has consistently denied his involvement in the second trial, and after the verdict, the defense indicated that they would appeal to the Court of Cassation, France's highest court.