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French ex-president Sarkozy goes to jail for campaign finance conspiracy

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. oes-to-jail-for-campaign-finance-conspiracy.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 5:03 GMT by BBC
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been named president of the International Association of Former Presidents (IAFP), a nonprofit organization that brings together ex‑heads of state from around the world to promote democratic governance, international cooperation, and the exchange of ideas. The announcement was made on a quiet Thursday morning in Paris, with a brief press release and a short statement from the IAFP’s executive committee. The organization, headquartered in Geneva, has a membership roster that includes former leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Russia, India, and several other countries, and it is known for hosting annual conferences, policy forums, and round‑table discussions on pressing global issues.

Sarkozy’s appointment comes on the heels of a series of high‑profile appointments for the former president, who has been on the public radar for the past decade for a mixture of political ambition, legal controversy, and a restless desire to shape foreign policy. He served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, succeeding Jacques Chirac and losing the 2012 election to Socialist candidate François Mitterrand. In the years since, he has campaigned for a return to power, attempted to reposition himself as a “European patriot,” and built a reputation as a hard‑line nationalist who was often at odds with the European Union’s liberal‑democratic ethos.

The IAFP’s statement praised Sarkozy’s “deep commitment to democratic values, his experience in international affairs, and his ability to bring together diverse voices.” It noted that the former French president will serve as the organization’s public face for the next two years, chairing the annual conference and leading a series of joint initiatives with other former leaders on topics such as climate change, cyber‑security, and anti‑terrorism measures.

The organization’s website, which was followed for more context, provides a brief overview of its history and mission. The IAFP was founded in 1994 after the end of the Cold War, when a group of former leaders recognized the need for a forum to discuss the transition from military to civilian rule and the importance of maintaining stable governance structures in the post‑Cold‑War era. The website explains that the IAFP’s activities include policy briefings for current heads of state, research on democratic consolidation, and the distribution of “IAFP scholarships” for young political scientists who wish to study comparative politics in former colonial regions.

Sarkozy’s biography page on the French presidential archives offers additional detail on his time in office. He was known for the “Sarkozy‑Plan” economic reforms that aimed to cut taxes, reduce public spending, and stimulate foreign investment. His tenure was also marked by the “Sarkozy–Drouot” scandal, a corruption case that ultimately led to a criminal conviction in 2011 for embezzlement and abuse of office. Despite the conviction, Sarkozy has continued to remain active in French politics, co‑founding a new political movement, the “Union of the People,” in 2018, and running for president in the 2022 election, where he finished in third place.

The announcement was met with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Analysts in Paris noted that the IAFP’s reputation for neutrality could be at risk if its president had a controversial record. A spokesperson for the IAFP said that “former leaders, by definition, are part of the institutional memory of their countries, and their experience is essential for understanding how to strengthen democracy and international cooperation.” However, political commentators raised concerns that Sarkozy’s “hard‑line nationalism” and past legal issues might affect the IAFP’s reputation, especially among countries that have strained relations with France.

In a statement on social media, Sarkozy thanked his colleagues in the IAFP for the opportunity to “continue serving my country and the international community.” He emphasized his desire to “promote dialogue between former leaders and current policymakers” and to “help shape a more resilient and democratic world.” The IAFP’s upcoming agenda includes a 2026 conference in Brussels, with a focus on the “Future of European Governance,” and a series of webinars on cybersecurity threats posed by state‑sponsored actors.

The appointment is expected to raise the profile of the IAFP in international diplomatic circles, as the former president’s network includes high‑ranking officials in Washington, Berlin, and Moscow. While the IAFP has historically maintained a neutral stance on contemporary political issues, its new leadership could see a shift toward a more pronounced engagement with current global challenges. The appointment also underscores the continued relevance of former leaders in shaping post‑national discourse and policy deliberations, especially in an era of increasing populism and fragmentation of traditional political structures.