Court Case for Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy

May 13, 2026, 16:41
EuropePolitics

Introduction

Nicolas Sarkozy was the President of France. Now, he is in court. People say he took illegal money from Libya for his election.

Main Body

The court says Sarkozy had a secret deal with the leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy wanted money for his 2007 election. In return, he helped Gaddafi look better to other countries. Lawyers want Sarkozy to go to prison for seven years. They also want him to pay 300,000 euros. He cannot have a government job for five years. Sarkozy is 71 years old. He had other court problems before. Now, ten other people are in this trial too. Some of them were ministers in the government.

Conclusion

The trial ends in early June. The court will give the final answer on November 30.

Learning

⏳ The Power of 'Past' vs 'Now'

Look at how the story changes time. This is the secret to moving from A1 to A2.

The Shift:

  • Was (Past) →\rightarrow Is (Present)

Examples from the text:

  1. "Nicolas Sarkozy was the President" (He is not the President now).
  2. "Now, he is in court" (This is his current situation).

Simple Rule: Use WAS for things that finished. Use IS for things happening today.

Numbers & Money (Quick Look)

  • 71 years old →\rightarrow Age
  • 300,000 euros →\rightarrow Money
  • Seven years →\rightarrow Time

*Tip: In English, we put the number BEFORE the word (e.g., Five years ✓\checkmark / Years five ×\times).

Vocabulary Learning

court (n.)
a place where legal cases are heard
Example:The court will decide if he should go to prison.
president (n.)
the leader of a country
Example:Nicolas Sarkozy was the president of France.
money (n.)
currency used to pay for goods or services
Example:He took illegal money from Libya.
lawyer (n.)
a person who helps with legal matters
Example:Lawyers want Sarkozy to go to prison.
prison (n.)
a place where people are kept as punishment
Example:They want him to go to prison for seven years.
government (n.)
the group that runs a country
Example:He cannot have a government job for five years.
trial (n.)
a legal examination of a case
Example:The trial ends in early June.
election (n.)
a process of choosing leaders
Example:Sarkozy wanted money for his 2007 election.
secret (adj.)
not known or hidden
Example:The court says Sarkozy had a secret deal.
deal (n.)
an agreement between people
Example:Sarkozy had a secret deal with Gaddafi.