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France’s Cour de Cassation confirmed former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction for illegal campaign financing during his failed 2012 re-election bid, upholding a one-year non-custodial sentence, half of which is suspended.
France’s highest court on Wednesday confirmed the conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy over illegal campaign financing during his unsuccessful 2012 re-election campaign. The ruling marks the latest legal setback for the 70-year-old former leader, who served as president from 2007 to 2012.
Sarkozy was previously convicted in 2021 and 2024 for exceeding the legal campaign spending limit of €22.5 million. Prosecutors reported that his campaign spent nearly €43 million (approximately $50 million) and allegedly used a friendly public relations firm to conceal the excess. The Cour de Cassation confirmed the one-year non-custodial sentence, with half of it suspended, and rejected his appeal.
Sarkozy’s lawyers indicated that he may take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. The court ruling emphasizes that while Sarkozy may not have personally approved every individual expenditure, he was made aware of the overspending and bears ultimate responsibility under French law.
In a separate, high-profile case, Sarkozy was sentenced on October 21, 2025, to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy linked to attempts by his aides to secure illegal funds from former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential campaign. He was released earlier this month pending appeal.
Sarkozy has repeatedly denied direct involvement in campaign logistics or financial management, maintaining that he was unaware of the campaign’s overspending. Yet French courts have consistently held him accountable, citing the president’s ultimate responsibility for ensuring legal compliance in campaign financing.
Legal experts note that these rulings may have significant political ramifications, as Sarkozy remains a prominent figure in French politics, facing multiple ongoing legal proceedings related to corruption and abuse of office.(ILKHA)
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