France’s Court of Cassation has upheld the conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy for illegally financing his 2012 re-election campaign, sealing a major legal setback for the ex-leader.
The decision comes just two weeks after Sarkozy was released from Paris’ La Santé prison, where he served 20 days following a separate conviction related to alleged secret Libyan funding for his successful 2007 presidential campaign — a charge he continues to deny.
With Wednesday’s ruling, Sarkozy’s one-year prison sentence — half of which is suspended — becomes final. Under French law, he can serve the remaining term at home, subject to electronic monitoring or other conditions imposed by a judge.
The court found that Sarkozy’s 2012 campaign exceeded spending limits through fraudulent overspending, a violation that has further tarnished his political legacy as legal battles continue to cloud his post-presidential years.
