French Ex-President Faces Jail: A Look at Sarkozy's Controversial Legacy

Nicolas Sarkozy, once the president of France, is now making history for a different reason. He's the first French leader in recent times to be sent to jail after a criminal conviction. This isn't his first run-in with the law, but it's certainly the most serious. Sarkozy, now 70, was found guilty of some shady dealings. Back in 2007, when he was running for president, his team allegedly got money from Libya, which was then ruled by the dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy says he's innocent and that this conviction is a blow to France's justice system. During his time as president from 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy was known for his love of luxury, earning him the nickname "President Bling Bling. " He also had a reputation for mixing business with pleasure, which didn't always sit well with the French people. Sarkozy's political career started as a lawyer and then as the mayor of a fancy Paris suburb. He worked his way up, becoming the interior minister and then president. But his time in office was marked by controversy, including a very public breakup with his second wife and a quick marriage to former supermodel Carla Bruni. Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy still has influence in French politics. He's known to chat with the current president, Emmanuel Macron, and has met with leaders of the far-right National Rally party. Sarkozy's downfall is a stark reminder that no one is above the law, not even a former president. It's also a look into the changing political landscape of France, where the right has been gaining more traction.