Paris, France – French President Emmanuel Macron sharply rebuked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over her comments regarding the killing of a far-right activist in the French city of Lyon. This incident has reignited tensions between Paris and Rome.
According to political sources, Macron considered Meloni’s remarks to have crossed diplomatic boundaries and constituted interference in a domestic judicial and security matter. He emphasized that French authorities are handling the incident according to the law and without any political exploitation.
Meloni had expressed sympathy for the victim, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and emphasizing the need to protect those she described as “defenders of European identity.” This sparked widespread controversy in France, particularly given the sensitivity surrounding the issue of the far right and the rise of hate speech in Europe.
The incident occurred in Lyon, where the activist was killed under circumstances that remain under investigation. Meanwhile, French political forces were quick to warn against exploiting the incident to inflame ideological tensions or export divisive rhetoric across borders.
Observers believe that the crisis, though seemingly fleeting, reveals deeper disagreements between Paris and Rome on issues of immigration, identity, and internal security. This comes at a time when Europe is facing escalating political challenges as several countries approach crucial elections.
