Relations between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have reached a new critical point. The spark for the conflict was the death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, a right-wing activist fatally beaten in Lyon. Macron accused Meloni of unacceptable interference in France's internal affairs after the Italian prime minister called the incident 'a wound for all of Europe.' Italy rejects the accusations, pointing to the necessity of combating ideological violence.

Diplomatic Clash Paris-Rome

President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized Giorgia Meloni for comments regarding the death of Quentin Deranque, calling it unacceptable interference.

Tragic Background of the Conflict

The victim is a 23-year-old activist who died after being beaten by a group linked to the radical left during clashes in Lyon.

Charges for the Perpetrators

French prosecutors have charged seven suspects; one of them is a parliamentary assistant for the left-wing party LFI.

Italian Prime Minister's Riposte

Meloni countered the accusations by reminding France of its historical granting of asylum to members of terrorist organizations like the Red Brigades.

Relations between Paris and Rome have deteriorated sharply following tragic events in Lyon. The death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, an activist linked to the far-right who died from injuries sustained during clashes with the radical left, has fueled an international dispute. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted condolences on social media, condemning ideological hatred and suggesting that the murder by groups associated with left-wing extremism is a blow to European values. This statement provoked an immediate and sharp reaction from the Élysée Palace. President Emmanuel Macron, visiting India, sarcastically urged the Italian leader to mind her own business. He stated that 'everyone should stay in their own place, and then the sheep will be well guarded.' Macron highlighted the paradox of the situation, where politicians with a nationalist profile, typically defending sovereignty and reluctant to accept foreign opinions, are the first to comment on situations in other countries. The Italian government received these words with astonishment. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and Meloni herself emphasized that the tragedy in Lyon has a universal dimension and should not be treated as the exclusive domain of one nation's internal politics. Franco-Italian relations have been highly volatile since 2022, when a right-wing coalition came to power in Rome. Previous disputes primarily concerned migration policy and maritime law in the Mediterranean Sea.7 — people have been charged with murder in this caseMeloni, in response to the criticism, recalled France's past, referring to the so-called Mitterrand Doctrine and the historical granting of asylum to members of the Red Brigades. She stressed that the current political class must jointly develop methods to combat the climate of hatred threatening a return to the dark years of political terrorism. French prosecutors confirmed that among the seven detained individuals is a parliamentary assistant linked to the La France Insoumise party, further intensifying the internal debate in France itself over the boundaries of legitimizing violence in public space. „It strikes me that nationalists, who do not want to be disturbed at home, are always the first to comment on what is happening elsewhere.” — Emmanuel Macron

Mentioned People

  • Quentin Deranque — Young French far-right activist, victim of a fatal beating in Lyon.
  • Antonio Tajani — Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, who condemned the murder and defended the position of the Rome government.