France Recalls Envoy From Rome After Italian Deputy PM Meets 'Yellow Vests'

Sputnik

The standoff between Rome and Paris started after Italian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Five Star Movement Luigi Di Maio met with Christophe Chalençon, one of the "yellow vests" leaders.

"For several months France has been the subject of repeated accusations, unfounded attacks and outlandish claims", the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that such criticism was "unprecedented" since the end of World War II.

"All these moves create a grave situation that questions the intentions of the Italian government and its bilateral relations with France. In light of this unprecedented situation, the French government has decided to recall the ambassador of France in Italy for consultations", a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry added.

Di Maio has supported the French protestors, saying following a meeting with the "yellow vests", that the "winds of change" had crossed the Alps. 

In response, Paris called the meeting "a new provocation" by the Italian Deputy Prime Minister, stressing that such moves are "not acceptable between neighbouring countries and partners in the European Union".

The "yellow vests" rallies, triggered by fuel price hikes last November, are still ongoing, with almost 60,000 reportedly participating in mass protests in France during the first weekend of February.

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