While some Republican executives continue to consider Nicolas Sarkozy as a possible recourse for a party struggling to rebuild itself since the 2017 defeat, a conviction of the former head of state on Monday in the "wiretapping" affair by Paul Bismuth "could permanently tarnish his political credibility.

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Judged in December in the so-called "tapping of Paul Bismuth" affair, Nicolas Sarkozy will be fixed on his fate on Monday, by the Paris court.

The National Financial Prosecutor's Office requested four years in prison, two of which were suspended against the former President of the Republic.

But the stake of this verdict is as much judicial as political, because even retired, Nicolas Sarkozy remains nonetheless a tutelary figure to the right of the political spectrum. 

A disqualified "icon"?

The barons of the right like to go see Nicolas Sarkozy, and even Macronist ministers flock to be received in his Parisian offices.

Because for now, business does not prevent the former head of state from keeping his hand on the right.

"Nobody talks about legal affairs in the markets," explains an LR deputy.

Some people still like to imagine it as a safe haven among Republicans in need of leaders.

An idea that annoys the younger generation, however.

"He's an icon, not necessarily a candidate," slice a party executive.

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Sarkozy, a bulky figure?

Nobody says it that way, but behind the scenes, without wishing it, some are already making plans.

A possible conviction of the former head of state could reshuffle the cards on the right, because that would permanently disqualify Nicolas Sarkozy and mark the end of an era.

A busy judicial agenda

According to his entourage, Nicolas Sarkozy is satisfied to have been able to "express himself fully" during his trial, the debates of which ended in December, and to have demonstrated "the emptiness of the accusation".

His lawyer Jacqueline Laffont then pleaded for release, denouncing a "desert of evidence". 

But Nicolas Sarkozy has not finished with the courtrooms.

Whatever the decision rendered on Monday, the former President of the Republic will have another appointment in court on March 17.

This time, he will appear in the "Bygmalion" case, for a second trial over the overspending of his 2012 presidential campaign.