‘Italy can bend’: French FM takes on Rome amid squabbling on migration & economy

“When we arrive at a moment when action is needed, Italy can bend,” Jean-Yves Le Drian told France Inter radio, as cited by Reuters.

Tensions between Rome and Paris have flared since a coalition government led by the populist Five Star Movement and the right-wing, anti-immigration Lega Nord party came to power in Italy last May. The two neighbors have expressed discontent over a range of issues, most importantly, the economy and immigration.

Italy’s right-wing politicians have consistently accused France of bringing migrants to Italian borders. In a latest outburst, they claimed that France’s perceived colonization of Africa had directly contributed to the migrant crisis in Europe. For its part, Paris refrained from entering a “stupidity contest” with Italy and told it to “sweep their own doorstep.” 

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!