'Stay in own lane': French President Macron tells Italian PM Meloni to 'stop commenting on other countries'
Times of India
by TOI WORLD DESKFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for commenting on internal affairs of other countries following her condemnation of the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque in France. Macron urged Meloni to "stay in their own lane," emphasizing that such comments risk escalating tensions and undermining cooperation between nations. The incident occurred after Deranque, a 23-year-old activist, was killed during clashes at a protest in Lyon last week. Most of the 11 suspects detained are linked to far-left movements, according to AFP.
Macron made his remarks while speaking in New Delhi, where he also reiterated France's stance against violence from any political group. He criticized Meloni for her "hypocrisy" in speaking out about events in France while advocating for stricter immigration policies and national sovereignty at home. Macron's team expressed concern over the potential for violence spiraling out of control, urging caution and restraint.
Meloni, however, defended her statement as an act of solidarity with the victims' families, not interference in French affairs. She accused Macron of misinterpreting her remarks and pointed to past instances where France had criticized Italy's internal policies. Meloni emphasized that her comments were intended to express empathy for those affected by the tragedy, while also highlighting the risks of political polarization.
The diplomatic spat highlights growing tensions between France and Italy, particularly over issues like immigration and domestic security. Both leaders appear to be walking a fine line between asserting national sovereignty and maintaining EU unity, as their rhetoric could further divide the two nations and complicate efforts to address shared challenges in Europe.
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026