Nicolas Sarkozy.

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Michel Euler / AP / SIPA

  • Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced Monday at first instance to three years in prison, including one firm, for “corruption” and “influence peddling” in the so-called “Paul Bismuth eavesdropping” affair.

  • Supported by his political family, the former president should keep a very influential role within the right.

  • The hypothesis of an appeal for the 2022 presidential election, however, seems more delicate.

A thunderclap on the right.

Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced Monday at first instance to three years in prison, including one firm, for “corruption” and “influence peddling” in the so-called “Paul Bismuth eavesdropping” affair.

Instinctively, his political family closed ranks and supported the former President of the Republic, who decided to appeal.

"The severity of the sentence retained is absolutely disproportionate", thus estimated the president of the Republicans Christian Jacob.

"An extremely harsh sentence in a particularly weak case," added the boss of senators LR Bruno Retailleau.

Because Nicolas Sarkozy remains a central figure on the right, some even hoping that he can constitute an appeal for the presidential election of 2022. But with this condemnation, will the right definitely turn the page Sarkozy?

A retiree still politically active

After his defeat in the primary, in November 2016, Nicolas Sarkozy (again) bid farewell to French politics.

“It's time for me to approach a life with more private passion and less public passion,” he said.

At least officially.

Because the founder of the Republicans party has never really cut off from politics.

The absent was very present, in the shadows, regularly receiving the faithful and party officials.

With experience and age helping, the former political bulldozer has turned into an influential godfather of the right.

No one was surprised, at LR, to see Xavier Bertrand, who dreams of leading the right to the next presidential election, recently approaching the former president.

“He advises and doubts, because he remains a reference.

Many still have in mind his successful 2007 campaign. We are still orphans and nostalgic for this time, when the right had a real boss, ”recognizes Philippe Gosselin, LR deputy for La Manche, who does not believe in a change of status afterwards. the conviction of the former head of state.

“This judicial decision necessarily embarrasses him, but it will not mar the aura he may still have with us.

I do not believe that this definitively turns the page Sarkozy ”, he said.

"A tutelary figure who is absolutely not dog-eared"

The en bloc support of the right proves that the statue of the former head of state is not about to be unbolted.

“It is a tutelary figure who is absolutely not dog-eared, supports the LR deputy of the North Sébastien Huyghe.

This decision has nothing to do with his vision of the country, his ideas for getting out of the health crisis or avoiding the economic crisis.

He will remain a reference, someone important, whom we will continue to consult and who will continue to mark our political family.

As Pierre-Henri Dumont, MP for Pas-de-Calais, emphasizes, "he remains a mentor for many".

“And I don't think there will be any repercussions on whether he is consulted or listened to.

"

Among the Republicans, some highlight the tumultuous political course of the person concerned.

“His life is a succession of trials that he has never ceased to overcome with energy and courage.

Once again, he will be able to demonstrate it, ”tweeted the boss of LR deputies, Damien Abad.

The idea of ​​a legal remedy?

Until returning to the forefront of national politics?

While the right is struggling to find itself champion for 2022, some close to Nicolas Sarkozy recently cherished the idea that it could be a recourse.

“That some of his friends dreamed of a comeback seems logical to me, but I don't think the question arises.

He himself said that he had turned the page ”, sweeps Sébastien Huyghe.

“In the event of a final conviction, it seems complicated to me.

But no presidential election took place as expected, ”Pierre-Henri Dumont nuance.

“History teaches us that returns are difficult.

This is not the most likely hypothesis, but in the event of an extraordinary situation, it cannot be completely ruled out.

A politician is not really dead until he is six feet underground, ”smiles Philippe Gosselin.

Still, the appeal trial, and the hope of an acquittal, should not arrive for many months.

And that the former president must face other court cases, including the Bygmalion trial in March.

But there is no doubt that Nicolas Sarkozy retains his role of influence within the right.

A deputy quipped: "With this condemnation, we should perhaps simply avoid the term" godfather "for a while ...".

Justice

Wiretapping affair: The questions that arise after the conviction of Nicolas Sarkozy

Justice

Wiretapping affair: Heavily condemned for "corruption", Nicolas Sarkozy will appeal

  • Corruption

  • The Republicans (France)

  • Conviction

  • Trial

  • Nicolas sarkozy