Guilty Pleasures

Eon v. France

Ever wondered what it costs to insult a president? Well, that depends on where you are. In some countries, it might get you years behind bars—but in France, it’s just 30 euros. That’s right, if you tell the French President to “Get lost, you sad prick!”, like Hervé Eon did to Nicolas Sarkozy, your punishment might be a light fine… and even that can be postponed. But don’t go trying this in places where insulting the president could lead to much worse consequences. France is a little more forgiving when it comes to freedom of speech, especially when it’s laced with satire.

The Incident: Mocking the President’s Own Words

It all started in 2008, when Sarkozy was visiting Laval. Hervé Eon, a political activist, thought he’d throw a little of Sarkozy’s own shade back at him. Armed with a sign that said “Casse toi, pov’ con!”—which translates to “Get lost, you sad prick!” Earlier that year, at the International Agricultural Show, Sarkozy had famously told a farmer who refused to shake his hand, “Casse toi, pov’ con!” (Get lost, you sad prick!). The phrase went viral, sparking endless media coverage and jokes. So, when Hervé Eon decided to wave a sign with the exact same words at Sarkozy during a visit to Laval, he was just keeping the fun going. But guess what? The French authorities weren’t laughing.

Eon’s satirical jab didn’t land quite as smoothly with the authorities. The police stopped him on the spot and charged him with insulting the President, under the Freedom of the Press Act of 1881. The punishment? A 30-euro fine, but get this—it was postponed, meaning Eon didn’t even have to pay it unless he found himself in more trouble later. Small price for such a bold statement, right? The Laval court ruled that the offense was complete, referencing the protection of the office of the President (§ 9).

The Court’s Take: Satire or Insult?

Eon wasn’t about to let this slide, even with the fine postponed. He took the matter all the way to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), arguing that his conviction violated his right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (§ 47). France, on the other hand, stood by the fine, claiming it was all about protecting the President’s reputation.

The ECtHR, however, wasn’t having it. The Court ruled that criminally penalizing Eon for quoting the President’s own words back at him was an overreaction. In fact, they pointed out that satire is supposed to be sharp, edgy, and a bit offensive. “Satire is a form of artistic expression and social commentary which naturally aims to provoke and agitate,” the Court stated (§ 60). The joke was on the government this time, as the Court concluded that Eon’s freedom of expression had been violated.

A Judge With a Different View

But not everyone agreed. Judge Power-Forde, while supporting the overall ruling, thought that simply acknowledging the violation wasn’t enough. “He was entitled to something more than ‘a mere moral victory,’” she argued (§ 68), suggesting that Eon deserved compensation for the stress of going through a criminal trial for what was essentially a satirical protest. After all, Eon had to deal with the legal ordeal of being tried for insulting the President, even if the fine was postponed.

Satire vs. Serious Consequences

Now, before you go waving your own signs around, remember: this is France. It’s one of the few places where calling the President a “sad prick” can land you a postponed fine instead of years in prison. In some countries, just saying something mildly critical of the government can get you locked up for far longer.

As the ECtHR pointed out, “Political figures must display a greater degree of tolerance.” (§ 59) After all, criticism and satire are essential to keeping democracy alive and well. And while Sarkozy might not have been thrilled with Eon’s sign, he had to tolerate it. That’s the price of being in the spotlight.

The Final Word: 30 Euros for Presidential Insults—If You’re in France

So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re in France, mocking the President might only cost you 30 euros—and even then, you might not have to pay it right away. But elsewhere? Tread carefully. Eon’s case was a victory for freedom of expression and a reminder that political satire is not just a tool to entertain but also a means to keep those in power on their toes.

And remember, as long as you’re quoting the President’s own words, you might just get away with it… in France, anyway.