PARIS (AP) – France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his prestigious Legion of Honor medal following his conviction for corruption and influence peddling last year, an official announcement revealed on Sunday. The decree regarding this decision was published in the Journal Officiel, which is responsible for disseminating significant legal information from the French government. This action aligns with the protocols governing the Legion of Honor.
Sarkozy, who served as France's president from 2007 to 2012, has been embroiled in a multitude of legal issues since the end of his presidency. In 2021, he was convicted by a Paris court and subsequently upheld by an appeals court in 2023 for attempting to bribe a magistrate to obtain confidential information related to a legal case involving himself. He was placed under an electronic monitoring bracelet for one year, a ruling confirmed by France’s highest judiciary body, the Court of Cassation, in December.
Earlier this year, Sarkozy faced trial over allegations that he received millions of dollars from Libya for his successful 2007 presidential campaign. He has vigorously denied these claims, while prosecutors have petitioned for a seven-year prison sentence. The verdict in this case is anticipated to be announced in September.
With the revocation of his medal, Sarkozy becomes only the second former head of state in France's history to lose the Legion of Honor, which represents the nation's highest distinction. The first was Philippe Petain, who was a Nazi collaborator and was convicted of treason in 1945 for his actions during World War II as the leader of Vichy France from 1940 to 1944.
Notably, other prominent figures have also had their commendations rescinded. Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was stripped of his Legion of Honor award in 2017 amidst widespread allegations of sexual misconduct, while disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong also had his French Legion of Honor award revoked.
Though Sarkozy retired from public life in 2017, he remains a significant figure within French conservative politics, continuing to influence the party even after his departure from formal roles.
