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Sarkozy’s Prison Diary Lands as He Urges the French Right to Woo Far-Right Voters

The former president publishes a bestseller on 20 days in La Santé during his appeal of a five-year sentence.

Overview

  • In Le journal d’un prisonnier, Nicolas Sarkozy portrays La Santé as a bleak, violent environment and details solitary confinement, sleepless noise and meager prison fare.
  • He recounts special security measures, including two police officers stationed in a neighboring cell and frequent in-person visits from his wife, Carla Bruni.
  • The book pushes a strategic shift on the right as he writes that Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is not a danger to the Republic and notes a phone call with Le Pen from prison.
  • A Paris book signing drew supporters under a heavy police presence, and two Femen activists were removed after shouting that he belonged in prison.
  • Sarkozy remains free under judicial supervision after serving 20 days of a five-year sentence tied to alleged 2007 Libya funds, and he also carries a separate 2012 campaign-finance conviction allowing monitored home detention.