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2d ago

Legal Challenge Filed Over Sarkozy’s Retention of Legion of Honour

Descendants of decorated individuals seek judicial intervention after Macron declines to revoke Sarkozy's honour despite his definitive conviction.

AFP - Nicolas Sarkozy au dernier jour du procès des soupçons de financement libyen de sa campagne présidentielle de 2007, à Paris le 8 avril 2025
Nicolas Sarkozy au tribunal correctionnel de Paris, le 5 février 2025.
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Overview

  • A group of five descendants of Legion of Honour recipients filed an administrative appeal on May 6, 2025, to compel the removal of Nicolas Sarkozy's decoration.
  • The appeal challenges the inaction of Grand Chancellor General François Lecointre and accuses President Macron of overstepping his authority by refusing to enforce the automatic exclusion mandated by the honours code.
  • Under the Legion of Honour code, convictions carrying at least one year of imprisonment trigger automatic removal, requiring a presidential decree to formalize the decision.
  • Sarkozy, convicted in December 2024 on corruption charges and serving a three-year sentence, has retained the honour, with no exclusion decree issued to date.
  • President Macron has defended his decision, citing the importance of respecting current and former presidents, a stance criticized by appellants as undermining the rule of law.