ENVOY TO ITALY RECALLED AMID HIGHER TENSIONS

France recalled its ambassador to Italy Thursday, saying relations with Rome were at their lowest point “since the end of the Second World War” after Italy’s deputy prime minister met “yellow vest” protesters.

“For several months France has been the subject of repeated accusations, unfounded attacks and outlandish claims,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding its ambassador had returned home for “consultations.”

This was by far the most caustic flare-up between Paris and Rome since Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement and far-Right League party came to power in a coalition in June.

The Italian coalition partners had been baiting the Macron administration for months following his call to fight populist movements among EU members, which he likened to “leprosy.” At first, France dismissed the sniping as domestic politicking, saying it would not fight in a “stupidity contest.”

But the Gallic gloves finally came off after Luigi Di Maio, Italy’s deputy prime minister and Five Star chief, met anti-government “yellow vest” protesters outside Paris on Tuesday.

Announcing his intention to join forces in the European Parliament elections on May 26 with “yellow vest” members, Di Maio boasted on Twitter that “The wind of change has crossed the Alps.”