Nicolas Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy is a French politician who served as President of France from 2007 to 2012.

Nicolas Sarkozy is a French politician who served as President of France from 2007 to 2012. He was previously Minister of the Interior and leader of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), later renamed The Republicans. In 2025, he was convicted in a criminal conspiracy case related to alleged Libyan campaign financing and began serving a prison sentence while appealing the ruling.

Early life and career

Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sarkozy de Nagy-Bocsa was born on 28 January 1955 in Paris, France. He rose through French politics, holding local office and later serving in senior government roles, including Minister of the Interior, before becoming a national figure.

Presidency of France

Sarkozy won the 2007 presidential election with 53.06% of the vote against Ségolène Royal and served as President from 16 May 2007 to 15 May 2012. His presidency was associated with an active, high-profile leadership style and significant domestic policy debates, as he led France during the financial crisis and related euro-zone turmoil.

Party leadership and later politics

After leaving the presidency, Sarkozy initially said he would retire from politics, but he returned to lead the UMP in 2014. The party was renamed The Republicans in 2015, and he withdrew from the 2016 primary after defeat.

Legal cases

After leaving office, Sarkozy faced multiple legal proceedings. In 2025, he was convicted in a criminal conspiracy case tied to alleged efforts to obtain Libyan funding for his 2007 campaign and sentenced to five years in prison.