Nicolas Sarkozy Stripped of Legion d'Honneur Following Graft Conviction
The former French president's national honor has been rescinded after a legal ruling, marking a significant moment in French political history.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as the President of France from 2007 to 2012, has had his Legion d'honneur (Legion of Honor) award revoked following his conviction on graft charges.
This decision was formalized in a decree published on Sunday, marking Sarkozy as the second French head of state to lose the prestigious recognition, the first being Philippe Pétain, who was stripped of the honor post-World War II for high treason.
The Legion d'honneur is France's highest order of merit, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
According to the organization's regulations, recipients automatically forfeit their awards if they are convicted of a crime or receive a prison sentence of one year or more.
Sarkozy's conviction was upheld last year by an appeals court, which had mandated him to wear an electronic ankle bracelet as an alternative to serving a one-year prison term.
The former president, who turned 70 this month, was found guilty of corruptly attempting to secure favors from a judge.
Currently, Sarkozy is appealing the conviction at the European Court of Human Rights.
He is also involved in a separate trial concerning charges of accepting illegal campaign financing connected to an alleged pact with the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, with a verdict anticipated in September.
If found guilty in this case, Sarkozy could face a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
Despite his ongoing legal challenges, Sarkozy remains active in right-wing politics in France and reportedly continues to have interactions with current President Emmanuel Macron.
Sarkozy's presidential term was marked by significant collaboration with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, particularly during the eurozone crisis, leading to their joint nickname, 'Merkozy.'
The decision to revoke Sarkozy's honor comes despite opposition from President Macron, who expressed in April the importance of showing respect for former presidents.
This decision was formalized in a decree published on Sunday, marking Sarkozy as the second French head of state to lose the prestigious recognition, the first being Philippe Pétain, who was stripped of the honor post-World War II for high treason.
The Legion d'honneur is France's highest order of merit, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.
According to the organization's regulations, recipients automatically forfeit their awards if they are convicted of a crime or receive a prison sentence of one year or more.
Sarkozy's conviction was upheld last year by an appeals court, which had mandated him to wear an electronic ankle bracelet as an alternative to serving a one-year prison term.
The former president, who turned 70 this month, was found guilty of corruptly attempting to secure favors from a judge.
Currently, Sarkozy is appealing the conviction at the European Court of Human Rights.
He is also involved in a separate trial concerning charges of accepting illegal campaign financing connected to an alleged pact with the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, with a verdict anticipated in September.
If found guilty in this case, Sarkozy could face a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
Despite his ongoing legal challenges, Sarkozy remains active in right-wing politics in France and reportedly continues to have interactions with current President Emmanuel Macron.
Sarkozy's presidential term was marked by significant collaboration with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, particularly during the eurozone crisis, leading to their joint nickname, 'Merkozy.'
The decision to revoke Sarkozy's honor comes despite opposition from President Macron, who expressed in April the importance of showing respect for former presidents.