Nicolas Sarkozy: Court sentences former French president to 5 years in prison in campaign-financing trial
CNN2 days
France's Nicolas Sarkozy Gets 5 Years in Libyan Campaign-Funding Case
Above: Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the press after he was found guilty on Sept. 25, 2025, in Paris, France. Image copyright: Remon Haazen/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Sarkozy's conviction is a historic victory against high-level corruption that has plagued French politics for decades. The court found clear evidence of a criminal conspiracy where Sarkozy allowed his top aides to solicit foreign funds from Libya's Gaddafi regime for his 2007 campaign. This unprecedented prison sentence for a former president punishes acts of exceptional gravity and finally shows that no one is above the law in France.
Right narrative
Sarkozy's conviction is a politically motivated witch hunt based on forged evidence and revenge from Gaddafi loyalists angry about France's role in toppling the dictator. The court found no evidence that any Libyan money had actually reached his campaign, thereby clearing him of charges of corruption and illegal financing. This harsh sentence against a respected conservative leader undermines France's justice system and international reputation.