For Mr Sarkozy, the conviction of Mr de Villepin would be a personal vindication, and perhaps a warning shot to any other would-be rival.But it would be unlikely to affect his own political position.

• 对于萨科奇，德维尔潘的定罪只能洗清他自己的罪名，或可能对其他潜在对手起到威慑作用，但对他自己的政治地位应该没什么影响。