Nicolas Sarkozy Loses Legion d'Honneur Following Graft Conviction

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has officially had his prestigious Legion d'Honneur award revoked following his conviction on graft charges. This decree, published recently, signifies a serious legal consequence for Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012.

The withdrawal of the award makes him only the second former French president to lose this distinction, previously held by Philippe Pétain, who led the collaborationist Vichy regime during World War II and was convicted for treason in 1945.

Despite the anticipated nature of this decision, it comes against the backdrop of opposition from current President Emmanuel Macron, who had expressed the view that former presidents should be treated with respect.

The Legion d'Honneur, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is France's highest honor for both civil and military merit. According to the order's regulations, any recipient convicted of a crime or sentenced to at least one year in prison automatically forfeits the award.

Sarkozy's legal troubles began after his defeat in the 2012 presidential election, which have since escalated into multiple convictions. Most notably, he was found guilty of attempting to unlawfully secure favors from a judge. An appeals court upheld this conviction, substituting a one-year prison sentence with the requirement for Sarkozy to wear an electronic ankle bracelet.

Recently, Sarkozy had the electronic tag removed. However, he continues to appeal his conviction before the European Court of Human Rights. In addition, he is facing another trial for allegedly accepting illegal campaign financing in connection with a purported agreement with the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. The ruling in this case is expected in September, and should prosecutors prevail, Sarkozy could face up to seven years in prison.

Despite his ongoing legal challenges, Sarkozy remains a prominent figure in French right-wing politics and has maintained a political relationship with President Macron, holding regular discussions with him.

During his presidency, Sarkozy collaborated closely with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel on various issues, particularly those concerning the eurozone crisis, earning them the nickname "Merkozy."