Macron and Meloni clash over killing of French far-right activist in Lyon | The Far Right News
Tensions Rise Between France and Italy Over Activist’s Murder
A contentious exchange has emerged between French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni regarding the murder of Quentin Deranque, a French far-right activist who was fatally assaulted by left-wing protesters in Lyon.
Meloni, speaking on social media Wednesday, described the incident as a “wound for all of Europe,” attributing the violence to groups associated with left-wing extremism. Macron responded emphatically during a press briefing on Thursday in India, urging political leaders to “stay in their own lane.”
“I’m always struck by how people who are nationalists, who don’t want to be bothered in their own country, are always the first ones to comment on what’s happening in other countries,” Macron stated. When questioned if his comments were directed at Meloni, he confirmed, “You got that right.”
Meloni later retorted that Macron had misconstrued her message, expressing regret that he perceived her remarks as interference. “I’m sorry that Macron experienced it as interference,” she said during an interview on Italian news channel Sky TG24.
Deranque, 23, was killed following an altercation at a far-right protest in Lyon on February 12. Lyon’s prosecutor, Thierry Dran, announced that seven individuals, including an aide to left-wing lawmaker Raphael Arnault from the France Unbowed party, would face murder charges. This group was among 11 individuals arrested earlier in the week. The suspects have denied the allegations.
This incident has heightened political tension in France, particularly between the far-right and far-left factions, as the country approaches municipal elections in March and the presidential race scheduled for 2027. Opinion polls indicate that the far-right is currently leading in projected support for the upcoming presidential election, at which point Macron must step down after serving two consecutive terms.
In the same broadcast, Meloni referenced Italy’s turbulent “Years of Lead” era, from 1969 to 1980, characterized by violence from the radical left-wing organization known as the Red Brigades. Notably, many former members of the Red Brigades sought asylum in France, an issue that has strained relations between the two nations.
“The ruling classes must reflect on how to combat a climate that could take us back a few decades, a history that Italy knows very well and that France knows very well, having given political asylum to members of the Red Brigades,” Meloni remarked.
