COVID-19 Prompts Adjournment of Sarkozy’s Campaign Financing Trial

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy waits before a ceremony paying homage to the victims of terrorism at the Invalides monument in Paris, France, on March 11, 2021. Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuters

PARIS—Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy went back on trial on Wednesday, this time on charges of illegally financing his failed 2012 re-election bid, but judges adjourned proceedings due to the absence of a defence lawyer sick with COVID-19.

Sarkozy, 66, was not present for the opening of the trial, which comes less than three weeks after he was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption and influence-peddling.