The effect of the PR agency's over-invoicing of Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party — now called The Republicans — was, it is alleged, that Sarkozy benefited from funding that was in excess of legal allowances for political campaigning.
"In his life," the piece continued, "Nicholas Sarkozy has refused a mea culpa" over the affair which has dogged him ever since details emerged of the alleged affair. He has now been officially notified that he is "suspected illegal financing of an election campaign for a candidate, who went beyond the legal limit for electoral spending."
Although the move does not directly lead to a prosecution, it will seriously impede his campaign to become French President once again in 2017, as he will be embroiled in legal proceeding for months in the run-up to the election.
Sarkozy's lawyer Thierry Herzog said that he would appeal the decision.
"I can say that I'm satisfied that [he did nothing illegal] and there was nothing linking President Nicolas Sarkozy to the Bygmalion case. It is only about exceeding the amount of campaign spending," Herzog said.
Party In-Fighting
Sarkozy — who has yet to officially declare his running for the 2017 presidency — faced a rebellion last year after switching his rhetoric to address a right-wing agenda in the face of a massive growth of support for the far-right Front National Party, which was threatening to make major gains in regional elections.
He told French radio that: "A vote for the National Front is not a vote against the Republic… it is not immoral." His attempts to woo the right-wing vote went against his party's stance against the Front National, which party policy dictated was not a party to deal with.
With Sarkozy embroiled in legal proceedings, former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe — his main rival for the presidential candidacy — is likely to benefit, as he is seen to be untainted and will prove a strong challenger to the socialist Francois Hollande, who has declared he will stand in 2017.
Three-times married Sarkozy will be considering whether it is wise to run for presidency as his allegedly dirty linen is washed in public. He was honored with Britain's Order of the Bath in 2008.
