10 h. ago France has survived revolutions and wars: its crisis now is deep, but not terminal | David A Bell

From the raid on the Louvre to the spectacle of Sarkozy in jail, it is tempting to think France is on a downward spiral. But history tells the tale of its resilienceIn the classic dinner-party scene in the film Notting Hill, Tim McInnerney’s character promises a brownie to “the saddest act here”. In response, the guests (including the glamorous movie star played by Julia Roberts) try to outdo each other with tales of their painful suffering and pathetic failures.In our gloomy autumn of 2025, western democracies could play quite a convincing version of this game. There is the depressed United Kingdom, where Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have fallen to record lows and Reform leads in the polls. There is the deeply broken United States, where a supine opposition seems incapable of preventing Donald Trump from chopping away one guardrail after another of our constitutional order. There is Spain, where this summer a Socialist party scandal threatened to topple the fragile minority gove...

Events

53 h. ago Three inmates are arrested for threatening to kill jailed Nicolas Sarkozy after videos showed prisoners vowing revenge for Gaddafi's death

The men - who have not been named - are fellow prisoners of the 70-year-old in La Santé, the Paris jail where Sarkozy is set to carry out a five-year sentence.

Events

66 h. ago Inmates film themselves threatening Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris prison

Nicolas Sarkozy was taunted by fellow inmates who threatened to avenge the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

Events

67 h. ago Sarkozy receives threats in prison as inmates vow to ‘avenge Gaddafi’

Nicolas Sarkozy was taunted by fellow inmates who threatened to avenge the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

Events

68 h. ago Inside La Santé prison where Nicolas Sarkozy faces years in isolation

French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy began his five-year prison sentence on Tuesday, locked up in a nine-square-metre cell at Paris' infamous La Santé prison

Events

2 d. ago Inside the grim walls of La Santé prison where former President Nicolas Sarkozy faces years in isolation

The 70-year-old has been ordered to serve his time at La Santé prison in Paris, a far cry from the Élysée Palace. He now finds himself confined to a ten-square-metre cell.

Events

3 d. ago Nicolas Sarkozy to have permanent police protection in prison

French interior minister says former president will have two officers in nearby cells at all times after beginning five-year sentence for illegal campaign fundingThe former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will have two police officers stationed in nearby cells while he is in prison to ensure he comes to no harm, France’s interior minister has said.Sarkozy arrived at La Santé prison in Paris on Tuesday to begin a five-year sentence after being convicted of conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya – a stunning downfall for a man who led the country between 2007 and 2012. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Moment prisoners mock 5ft 5in Nicolas Sarkozy's HEIGHT and yell threats throughout his 'frightening' first night in jail

The disgraced French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy spent his first night in prison being mocked for his height and screamed at by fellow inmates.

Events

3 d. ago Moment 'prison inmate films himself threatening Nicolas Sarkozy' as the disgraced former president is placed under police protection following 'frightening' first night in jail

Two police officers have since moved into the prison cell next door to Sarkozy following the incident, it emerged today.

Events

3 d. ago Police move into cell next to Nicolas Sarkozy after fellow inmates threaten to kill the jailed president

The former president arrived at prison yesterday after being handed a five-year sentence for a plan to take money from Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi

Events

3 d. ago Nicolas Sarkozy is placed under police protection inside prison following 'frightening' first night in jail after 'fellow inmate films himself threatening the disgraced former president'

Two police officers have since moved into the prison cell next door to Sarkozy following the incident, it emerged today.

Events

3 d. ago The rise and fall of Nicolas Sarkozy: Former French president jailed in historic first

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy begun serving a prison sentence in Paris on Tuesday (21 October) – the first time a leader of the French Fifth Republic has been jailed.

Politics

3 d. ago The Guardian view on Sarkozy’s first day in prison: no citizen is above the law | Editorial

Attempts by the former French president and his supporters to discredit the legal process by which he was sentenced have been irresponsible and unjustifiedAs he was transported to La Santé prison in Paris on Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy posted a message brimming with defiance on X, writing “It’s not a former president of the republic who is being jailed this morning, it’s an innocent man”. A court of appeal will eventually give its view on the veracity of the second clause of that statement. But unfortunately for Mr Sarkozy, the drama and significance of his fall cannot simply be wished away.President of France between 2007 and 2012, Mr Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracy to obtain illicit campaign funds from the regime of the late Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. Handed a five‑year sentence, he has become the first former leader of an EU country to go behind bars, and the first French leader since the disgraced head of Vichy France, Philippe Pétain...

Events

4 d. ago Poland threatens Putin with arrest if he flies through its airspace on way to Hungary – Europe live

Poland’s foreign minister says Putin’s plane could be escorted down and Russian president handed to The HagueA lawyer for Nicolas Sarkozy said a motion had been filed for his release moments after the former French president entered jail, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.Attorney Christophe Ingrain told reporters:A request has been filed for Nicolas Sarkozy’s release. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Cow worship and dogs on the lookout: photos of the day – Tuesday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Culture

4 d. ago Nicolas Sarkozy shares last kiss with Carla Bruni as he leaves home to begin five

Sarkozy is the first former French leader to be jailed since the Second World War

Politics

4 d. ago Humbled Nicolas Sarkozy enters prison after emotional goodbye to distraught

The 70-year-old arrived at La Sante prison on Tuesday morning, with reporters hearing convicts shouting from their cells: 'Welcome Sarkozy!', 'Sarkozy's here.'

Events

4 d. ago Nicolas Sarkozy becomes first French leader to go to prison since WWII

Former French president has begun a five-year prison sentence after being convicted of a conspiracy to raise illegal campaign funds from Libya

Events

4 d. ago Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives at prison to begin five

The 70-year-old becomes the first former French leader to be jailed since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain

Events

4 d. ago Defiant Sarkozy begins jail sentence as lawyer says he will be held in solitary confinement – Europe live

France’s former president was found guilty of acquiring Libyan funding for his 2007 campaign and has arrived at La Sante prison in ParisShortly after he stepped into a car to head to La Santé, Nicolas Sarkozy published a long message on X in which he claimed to be a victim of revenge and hatred.He said:As I prepare to step outside the walls of La Santé prison, my thoughts go out to the French people of all walks of life and opinions.I want to tell them with my unwavering strength that it’s not a former President of the Republic being locked up this morning, it’s an innocent man. Continue reading...

Society