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PARIS, Oct 20, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - France's ex-leader Nicolas Sarkozy last week 
visited President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace just days before the 
start of his prison sentence, a source within government told AFP on Monday.

"He was hosted on Friday," the source said, without providing further 
details.

Sarkozy is to be jailed Tuesday over a scheme to acquire Libyan funding for 
his 2007 presidential run, becoming the first former head of a European Union 
country to serve time behind bars.

Sarkozy, France's right-wing leader from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in late 
September of criminal conspiracy over a plan for late Libyan dictator Moamer 
Kadhafi to fund his electoral campaign.

Sarkozy has faced a flurry of legal woes since losing re-election in 2012.

But Sarkozy still enjoys some popularity on the French right.

Sarkozy's family have called for supporters to show solidarity with the 
former head of state as he leaves his home in Paris for La Sante prison on 
Tuesday morning.

His lawyers are expected to immediately file a motion for his release.