Rfi.
Sarkozy could face questioning as soon as mid-June because he will lose his immunity a month after his successor, Socialist Francois Hollande, is sworn in on May 15.
Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing but might have to face court proceedings. His predecessor Jacques Chirac was convicted last year and given a suspended sentence, demonstrating that French courts are willing to try former leaders.
The most high profile case involves a series of overlapping inquiries surrounding alleged illegal campaign financing by L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, France’s richest woman.
Magistrates are investigating claims that Bettencourt’s staff handed over envelopes stuffed with cash to Sarkozy aides to finance his 2007 campaign, with her former book-keeper testifying to one 50,000 euro donation.
Under France’s electoral code, individual election campaign contributions must not exceed 4,600 euros.