Nicolas Sarkozy is appealing his conviction over Libyan funding for his 2007 campaign, after serving time in prison. Former French president born in 1955.
As of February 16, 2026, French prosecutors have intensified investigations into former Culture Minister Jack Lang and his daughter Caroline over suspected tax fraud linked to Jeffrey Epstein. Raids at the Arab World Institute and other locations are underway. Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has ordered probes into diplomat Fabrice Aidan's alleged ties to Epstein, amid broader European fallout from newly released US Justice Department documents.
Recent articles highlight increasing tensions in local governance, with mayors resigning due to political polarization, workload, and safety concerns. Paris's green policies are advancing amid opposition, while local officials face threats and harassment. The upcoming elections will shape the city's future priorities.
On March 22, 2026, France concluded the second round of municipal elections in about 1,500 communes. Emmanuel Grégoire, Socialist candidate, won the Paris mayoralty, succeeding Anne Hidalgo. The left retained Marseille, while the far-right National Rally (RN) made gains in smaller southern cities like Perpignan and Nice. Voter turnout was 57%, the lowest since 2020, reflecting political disengagement ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is appealing a conviction for illegal campaign funding from Libya. He served 20 days in prison last year and is now awaiting a retrial set to run until June 3, 2026. Sarkozy denies wrongdoing amid ongoing legal issues.
Recent local elections across France, Slovenia, and Italy show a slowdown in far-right gains, with mainstream parties performing better than expected. Key cities like Paris and Marseille remain contested, highlighting the complex political landscape ahead of 2027 presidential votes.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is challenging his September conviction for criminal conspiracy related to alleged campaign funding from Libya's Gaddafi regime. The appeal trial, ongoing until June, reexamines evidence from a 12-week hearing. Sarkozy served 20 days in jail before release pending the verdict, which could see him face up to 10 years if convicted.