Paris, November 27, 2025
France’s highest court upheld former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s conviction on November 26 for illegal campaign financing, confirming his six-month sentence related to overspending during his 2012 re-election bid by concealing expenses with a PR firm.
Conviction Confirmed by Court of Cassation
The Court of Cassation decisively rejected appeals, affirming that Sarkozy breached France’s legal spending limits in his failed 2012 presidential campaign. The ruling held that Sarkozy was criminally responsible for collaborating indirectly with a public relations firm to hide campaign expenses, even though he was not directly implicated in fraudulent billing.
Sentence and Enforcement
Sarkozy’s six-month sentence was upheld, with the possibility of alternatives such as electronic monitoring rather than incarceration. This marks a significant judicial decision in France’s ongoing scrutiny of political financing violations.
Context of Broader Legal Troubles
This conviction follows a separate legal case linking Sarkozy to illegal funding from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 campaign, which resulted in a previous conviction and brief imprisonment. He was released on November 10 under judicial supervision and is actively appealing that sentence.
Political Implications and Reactions
Despite these confirmed convictions, Sarkozy remains a prominent figure on the French right, maintaining political contacts including meetings with President Emmanuel Macron. He continues to deny any criminal wrongdoing, labeling the allegations regarding the 2012 campaign as unfounded and considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Court of Cassation’s ruling underscores France’s commitment to enforcing transparency and legality in political campaign financing. Sarkozy’s legal battles will continue to draw public and political attention in the country’s charged political landscape.