France calls back Italian ambassador as ties ‘worst since WWII’

Envoy meeting with Paris ‘yellow vest’ activists deemed an act of provocation

FRANCE recalled its ambassador to Italy yesterday, 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 that 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 lower itself to 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, Mr Di Maio boasted on Twitter that “the wind of change has crossed the Alps”.

Hours later, France recalled its top diplomat from Rome, saying: “The most recent interferences constitute an additional and unacceptable provocation. They violate the respect that is owed to democratic choices made by a nation which is a friend and an ally.

“To disagree is one thing, to exploit a relationship for electoral aims is another.”

Mr Di Maio wrote on Facebook: “To me that meeting was not a provocation against the current French government, but instead an important meeting with a political force with whom we share quite a lot.” He added that Italy was willing to meet the Paris government to resolve differences.

However, Mr Di Maio had already lauded the “yellow vests” as the birth of a “new Europe” of direct democracy against its cosseted elites. Matteo Salvini, Mr Di Maio’s fellow deputy prime minister, also said of the EU elections:

‘It was an important meeting with a political force with whom we share a lot’

“I hope the French will be able to free themselves of a terrible president.”

The coalition in Rome has accused Mr Macron of failing to shoulder responsibility for the migrant crisis and ordering asylum seekers to be rounded up in France and pushed back to Italy.

Last month, France summoned Italy’s ambassador to Paris after Mr Di Maio accused the French of “impoverishing” West Africa by keeping it in a colonialist embrace. Also last month, Mr Salvini accused France of sheltering 14 “terrorists” wanted by Italy, after a fugitive ex-militant was extradited from Bolivia.

France has also expressed impatience with Italy over the building of a Lyon-toturin high-speed rail link, on which the Italian coalition partners disagree.