Salvini, Rome-Paris clash, France summons ambassador. And tensions rise.

Now the clash is public, evident, and vociferous. Ambassador Emanuela D'Alessandro , AFP reports, citing diplomatic sources, has been summoned by the French government due to the "unacceptable statements" that Matteo Salvini made in recent days about Emmanuel Macron . The ire of the Elysée Palace, reported yesterday by Repubblica , followed the Lega Nord's deputy prime minister's comments against the French president.

A new diplomatic front is now opening between Rome and Paris , with unpredictable consequences.

"Cling to the tram"

The battleground on which the duel is being waged is that of the willing , a crucial one in the Ukrainian game. The Anglo-French idea of ​​sending troops to the ground to maintain peace has been harshly opposed in recent months by Giorgia Meloni , but especially by Salvini . The Northern League member has waged a vigorous media campaign against this option. And against Macron . To the point of arguing, just a few days ago, regarding the French idea of ​​deploying soldiers in Ukraine: " In Milan they'd say taches al tram (attached to the tram, ed.) . Go if you want. Put on your helmet, your jacket, your rifle and go to Ukraine."

France decides to react

Harsh words, a direct challenge to a key European ally like France. This is why Paris decided to act. The first move was to solicit a reaction from Palazzo Chigi through two top-level channels: Macron 's diplomatic advisor and the French ambassador to Italy personally addressed Palazzo Chigi and the Farnesina, urging them to take action and disown the League member. They posed a clear question to their Italian counterparts: is Salvini speaking on behalf of the government, as deputy prime minister, or does Meloni have a different view and intend to condemn these attacks? In the absence of a reaction, Paris decided to raise the stakes even further and summon the Italian diplomat. According to the same sources cited by AFP, "the ambassador was reminded that these statements were at odds with the climate of trust and the historic relations between our two countries, as well as with recent bilateral developments, which have highlighted strong convergences between the two countries, particularly regarding their unwavering support for Ukraine."

Indeed, Salvini's attacks came just as Meloni was in Washington with Macron to manage Donald Trump 's attempt to broker a truce in Ukraine, while also defending Kiev's position. European partners have been working together to propose a defensive shield for Ukraine. This project could also include a mission of soldiers deployed on the ground to enforce the truce. This project was initiated by Macron , but Meloni—while preferring a NATO-style Article 5 solution—has nevertheless promised support should the idea be accepted by Moscow.

The diplomatic plan

The issue now shifts to the diplomatic level. It presents the prime minister with a choice: take a stand, stigmatizing Salvini , or remain silent, further complicating her already complex relations with the French president? So far, Meloni has chosen not to speak out. During previous diplomatic tensions between the two capitals, it was primarily Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani who took a stand, sometimes urging greater restraint from the Northern League deputy prime minister.

Finally, in these hours, a fear is gaining ground in Italian diplomacy: that Paris could somehow carry out political retaliation against Rome , on one of the many dossiers in which the interests of the two countries intersect.

The precedents

The conflict certainly isn't new. The news reports date back to early March: Salvini made another attack on the Elysée Palace: there will never be, the League leader said at the time, " a European army commanded by that madman Macron who talks about nuclear war ." And again: Macron "desperately needs to give meaning to his still-brief tenure as France's leader. But he shouldn't do it at our expense," he said, challenging the offer of a nuclear umbrella to Kiev.

The chronology doesn't end there. And on other occasions, Salvini has addressed the French president in numerous ways: "hypocrite," "chatterbox," "polite gentleman who drinks too much champagne," "criminal." The escalation began last June when the invitation was: "Put on your helmet, go fight, and stop being a pain in the ass."