Former French President Rejects Macron's Offer

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who spent 21 days in prison, recounts in his book "Prisoner’s Diary" that he rejected Emmanuel Macron's offer to be transferred to a "safer" correctional facility during a meeting held before serving his sentence. This was reported by the European publication Politico.

"I had nothing to say to him, and I was not inclined towards a friendly conversation," the publication quotes from "Prisoner’s Diary," where Sarkozy describes the meeting with Macron. The book mentions that Sarkozy declined the French leader's proposal to move him to an allegedly safer prison, as well as any other privileges, apart from the prison guards stationed near his cell.

According to Politico, the text of the book also introduces other political figures. Sarkozy expresses gratitude for support to Marine Le Pen, the leader of the parliamentary group of the National Rally party, as well as to Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the founder of the left-wing party France Unbowed, who refrained from commenting on his arrest.

The former president of France also states that former Prime Minister Michel Barnier sent a request to visit him in prison.

The 70-year-old former president, who held office from 2007 to 2012, was found guilty on September 25 of participating in a criminal group related to the Libyan financing of his electoral campaign but was acquitted on charges of misappropriating public funds and passive corruption. Moreover, the court did not confirm the illegality of the financing of the 2007 electoral campaign. Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison and began serving his sentence on October 21 at the Santé prison in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, where he spent 21 days.

On November 10, the Paris Court of Appeal granted a motion from Sarkozy's lawyers to revoke his detention and place him under judicial control. Under the conditions of judicial control, he is prohibited from leaving French territory and from contacting any currently serving minister of justice during the trial, including Gérald Darmanin, who had visited him in Santé prison prior to the publication of the current decision.

The discussion of Sarkozy's appeal, submitted against the judgment made at the end of September regarding the financing of his electoral campaign, is expected in March 2026.