Nicolas Sarkozy

Former French president Sarkozy handed 5-year jail term in stunning downfall

Nicholas Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to procure funds for his 2007 presidential bid from Libya during the rule of late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

|ByREUTERS
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy talks to journalists after the verdict in his trial with other defendants on charges of corruption and illegal financing of an election campaign, at the courthouse in Paris, France, September 25, 2025.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy

Sarkozy convicted of corruption, to serve jail time from home

Retired from politics but still influential among conservatives, Sarkozy has 10 days to appeal the ruling.

|ByREUTERS
A man wearing a yellow vest tackles a protester as tear gas floats in the air during clashes with police at a demonstration by the "yellow vests" movement in Nantes, France, December 15, 2018

France's Macron turns to former French president Sarkozy for guidance amid "yellow vest" protests

Last Sunday, Macron sent Sarkozy to Tbilisi to represent France at the swearing-in of Georgia's new president, a move that caused a stir in French political circles.

|ByREUTERS
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy

Police detain Sarkozy over illegal campaign funding from Libya

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has always denied receiving any illicit campaign funding and has dismissed the Libyan allegations as "grotesque."

|ByREUTERS