World / Nicolas Sarkozy France Begins Formal Inquiry Against Sarkozy Judge will now determine whether charges should be brought By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff Posted Jul 2, 2014 7:01 AM CDT Copied Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his house in Paris, Wednesday, July 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon) After 15 hours of questioning yesterday, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy emerged as the star of his very own formal investigation into allegations that he peddled influence. It's a staggering turn of events Le Figaro calls a "shock wave," and an unprecedented one for a former French president, notes the BBC—particularly as Sarkozy had his eye on a political comeback. Sarkozy appeared before a judge last night; the judge will now determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant charges. France also opened formal investigations against Sarkozy's lawyer and a prosecutor. (More Nicolas Sarkozy stories.) Report an error