Cour de cassation to Rule on Nicolas Sarkozy's Bygmalion Appeal on November 26

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing a pivotal judicial moment as the Cour de cassation is set to decide on November 26 his appeal against his conviction in the Bygmalion case. This will be Sarkozy's last legal recourse concerning the case, which involves illegal financing of his unsuccessful 2012 presidential campaign. If the court rejects his appeal, it will mark Sarkozy's second definitive criminal conviction following his wiretapping scandal.

Sarkozy was sentenced to one year in prison, with six months to be served immediately, for exceeding the legal spending limit of €22.5 million through a double invoicing scheme that concealed nearly €43 million in campaign expenses. His lawyers argue there is no material evidence directly implicating him in the financial irregularities, describing the accusations as "fables" and "lies." Additionally, three of Sarkozy's co-defendants in Bygmalion have also appealed, which could lead to a new trial should the court find merit in their requests.

This ruling comes amid Sarkozy's recent sentencing to five years in prison, including provisional detention, for corruption linked to Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign—the first such prison sentence for a former French president. On October 13, Sarkozy has another important court meeting regarding his incarceration terms, after which his defense is likely to seek his release.

The Cour de cassation's judgment will focus solely on legal compliance, and its outcome may significantly impact Sarkozy's judicial future and political legacy.