Ségolène Royal Desires Election Following Sarkozy’s Conviction

In a recent television appearance, former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal revisited her 2007 electoral campaign against Nicolas Sarkozy, which she described as tainted by significant financial disparities. Royal expressed her belief that the outcome of that election should be symbolically overturned following Sarkozy’s recent conviction related to campaign financing scandals involving Libya.

Ségolène Royal’s Reflections on the 2007 Election

During her interview on TF1, Royal articulated that “the best sanction” would have been a reversal of the election results. This remark came in light of Sarkozy’s recent legal troubles and his incarceration. Royal received 46.9% of the vote, compared to Sarkozy’s 53%, in the decisive 2007 election.

Financial Irregularities in the Election

• Royal accused the Sarkozy campaign of financial improprieties that affected the election’s fairness.
• She highlighted the stark differences in campaign resources as a critical factor in the outcome.
• Royal noted that a court judgment acknowledged these inequalities.

Despite acknowledging that a literal reversal of the election is impossible, she insisted that such an outcome would have served as a more fitting consequence than imprisonment for Sarkozy.

Support from Political Peers

Royal’s comments have resonated with some former colleagues. Juliette Méadel, a former minister, publicly supported Royal’s claims of significant financial discrepancies during the campaign via social media. Méadel emphasized that the financial inequality substantially influenced the electoral results.

Nicolas Sarkozy’s Legal Troubles

Sarkozy was recently released from prison, where he had been serving a five-year sentence for “criminal association.” His release comes after the Court of Appeal in Paris decided to place him under judicial control. He had been incarcerated for three weeks before this ruling.

In summary, Ségolène Royal’s remarks underscore ongoing discussions about fairness in political campaigns, particularly the impact of financial resources on election outcomes. The fallout from Sarkozy’s conviction continues to evoke reflections on the 2007 presidential race and its implications for French politics today.