In the trial, some of Sarkozy’s former advisers and other defendants face nepotism and misappropriation of public funds during the now 66-year-old’s tenure from 2007 to 2012. Amid great media hype, the ex-president came to the court on Tuesday, which had previously threatened to have him brought before the police if necessary.
Sarkozy justified his silence in a detailed statement that he was not accountable to any court for how he organized government work at the time. The constitution does not provide for that. He also protested that the court threatened to bring him before him.
The process involves orders for surveys that are said to have been illegally awarded from the Elysée Palace. In 2009, the Court of Auditors criticized irregularities such as a lack of tenders and contracts with companies owned by Sarkozy consultants. In total, it should go to several million euros. The defendants face several years’ imprisonment and fines. Sarkozy, who is the focus of the judiciary over other affairs, is not in the dock in this trial. He has immunity for his term of office, which he referred to several times on Tuesday.