France’s former president faces new trial over election fraud allegations

French former President Nicolas Sarkozy is scheduled to go on trial Wednesday on charges that his unsuccessful reelection bid in 2012 was illegally financed, Report informs, citing France 24.

The new case is scheduled to open two weeks after he was convicted of corruption and influence-peddling in another case, a decision he has appealed.

The new trial is likely to be quickly suspended and postponed later because one of the defense lawyers has been hospitalized with COVID-19.

The 66-year-old Sarkozy, who was president from 2007 to 2012, is facing allegations that he spent almost twice the maximum authorized amount — 22.5 million euros ($26.8 million) — in his 2012 reelection bid, which he lost to Socialist Francois Hollande.

If found guilty, he faces up to one year in prison and a fine of 3,750 euros ($4,470). He denied wrongdoing.

According to the judicial investigation, Sarkozy “indisputably benefited from fraud that allowed him to have, during his 2012 campaign, resources much superior to what the law was authorizing.”

Since 1990 and following several scandals, French law provides for several rules strictly limiting campaign expenses.