at the Elysee polls trial, witness Sarkozy remains silent

“Have you heard of this note?” Silence. “What about this one?” Silence again. “What is your position on the provision of the Public Procurement Code linked to the Presidency of the Republic?” Re-silence. It is not his habit: Nicolas Sarkozy had lost his tongue, Tuesday, November 2, facing the 32nd chamber of the Paris Criminal Court. Summoned as a witness at the Elysee polls trial, the former President of the Republic kicked in touch on all (or almost all) the questions that were put to him, as his presidential immunity allows him to do so.

It is not the place that frightens him. VShis courtroom on the second floor of the Paris judicial tribunal, Nicolas Sarkozy knows it well since it was here that he was sentenced in March to three years in prison, one of which was closed in the “wiretapping” affair. , then in September at one year closed in the Bygmalion file. But now, this time, even as a simple witness, even knowing that he could not be prosecuted, the former tenant of the “Castle” is silent. Is it a surprise? Not so much … It was enough to see his scowl, coming through the back door, to understand that the former head of state thought he had much better to do with his afternoon.

#SURVEYS Question 3: silence. Question 4: silence. Question 5: silence. Question 6: silence.

– Raphaël Godet (@Raphaelgodet) November 2, 2021

Dark suit, punderarm document holder and masthat under the nose, Nicolas Sarkozy prepared a short statement to recall in his words how he is not delighted to be here, and even less to have been forced to do so by the president of the Paris Criminal Court, if necessary “by the police “. “I respect and have always respected the judiciary. (…) From my point of view, this decision is completely unconstitutional and disproportionate “, he launches, cash, to the one who wanted to hear it so much.

Opposite, President Benjamin Blanchet acts as if he had heard nothing and launches his list of thirty questions. Standing with his hands crossed in front of him, Nicolas Sarkozy listens to them, before pushing them aside. His non-responses are sometimes accompanied by a curtois “Sorry to interrupt you” Where “Let me tell you”. He can also get annoyed: “Mr. President, it seems to me that I was not clear enough”, “I will not do it”, “You ask me to explain the organization of the cabinet of the President of the Republic”, “I told you that I did not have the right to extricate myself from constitutional obligations”, “It’s called separation powers”, “SIf I start to answer a quarter or a tenth of the questions, that means that I have come here to explain myself on the facts “.

Strange atmosphere in the courtroom, a mixture of unease and curiosity: but what question from the president of the court will be able to “hit the mark” with the former head of state? Answer: none. TOalmost thirty minutes facing a wall, Benjamin Blanchet has already asked everything from the former head of state. Jerome Karsenti, the lawyer of the Anticor association, civil party in this lawsuit, continues. Without much hope:

– “Mr. Sarkozy, you refuse to testify.

– No !

– Yes !

– No no.

– Yes !

– No, I’m not refusing to testify. It’s because I don’t have the right.

– What is preventing you from answering?

– I do not have to give an account of acts accomplished during my functions of President of the Republic. “

The president of the tribunal continues to distribute the floor. “Mr. Prosecutor, do you have any questions?” “No, no questions.” What about defense? “No None.” Less than an hour after arriving, Nicolas Sarkozy leaves the courtroom, surrounded by his bodyguards. Without shedding any light on the millions of euros of opinion polls that his presidency ordered at the start of his five-year term.

And without addressing the slightest glance at the former members of his close team, who have been on trial since October 18 and for a month for “concealment”, “favoritism” or even “embezzlement of public funds by negligence”. It is perhaps a detail: Claude Guéant, the former secretary general of the Elysée, Patrick Buisson, the former adviser, Emmanuelle Mignon, the former chief of staff, or Julien Vaulpré, the former technical adviser ” opinion “, didn’t take their eyes off the ground much as long as their ex-” boss “was around. IThey face between two and seven years in prison.