After French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin declared last week that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had been “lying” about her government’s ability to handle huge migration, Rome has demanded a “clearer” explanation.
“Clearer words are needed,” said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Sunday, according to RAI. “I hope that the French government changes its position and issues an apology that contrasts with the interior minister’s position.” He went on to say that if such comments were made, he would be “happy to accept them.”
The political squabble between the two EU states was prompted by Darmanin’s remarks on Thursday to RMC Radio, in which he said Italy’s right-wing prime minister had proven to be “unable to solve the migration problems on which she was elected.”
Darmanin stated that Meloni was “lying” to voters when she ran for office last year on a platform that included a commitment to dramatically limit migration. Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister, took office in October after a right-wing coalition led by her Brothers of Italy party earned a comfortable majority in both houses of the country’s parliament.
Tajani, a member of the conservative Forza Italia party, canceled a scheduled diplomatic visit to Paris on Thursday in protest over what he called a “insult” to Italy.
On Friday, French government spokesman Olivier Veran attempted to put out the political fire by telling CNews that Darmanin’s remarks were not meant to provoke Rome. A day earlier, Paris published a statement emphasizing its desire to collaborate closely with Italy’s administration on a variety of topics, including migration.
Darmanin warned of “extremely severe consequences” for France’s bilateral relations with Meloni’s government in November. His remarks came after Paris canceled a deal to take in 3,500 refugees who were in Italy at the time after Rome refused to allow a migrant rescue ship to dock on her shores.
Italy, on the other hand, claims that it has accepted its fair share of migrants. Following an increase in migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa, Rome proclaimed a six-month state of emergency in April. Last month, Italian Sea and Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci estimated that migrant flows into the nation had increased by 300%, describing the situation as a “absolute emergency.”
