France-Italy diplomatic rift: Macron responds to Meloni's comments on activist death

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to refrain from commenting on domestic French affairs after she reacted to the fatal beating of a far-right activist in Lyon.

The diplomatic exchange follows the death of Quentin Deranque, 23, who succumbed to head injuries after being attacked by at least six individuals on the sidelines of a far-right protest at a university in Lyon last week. According to a source close to the investigation, most of the 11 suspects detained are linked to far-left movements.

The incident has intensified political tensions in France ahead of the March municipal elections and the 2027 presidential race, where the far-right National Rally (RN) is widely seen as a strong contender.

Meloni on Wednesday described Deranque’s killing as “a wound for all of Europe”.

Responding during his official visit to India, Macron said countries should avoid interfering in each other’s internal matters. He added that there is no place in France for movements that adopt or legitimise violence.

Nothing can justify violent action, neither from one side nor the other, nor in confrontations that are deadly for the republic, Macron said. He also stressed the need to prevent any spiral of violence.

Also Read | France's Macron concludes India visit: Focus on AI, innovation and bilateral cooperation

Eleven people — eight men and three women — have been taken into custody on suspicion of intentional homicide. Among those detained are two parliamentary assistants to Raphael Arnault, an MP from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, as well as a former intern.

Macron is closely monitoring the situation, according to members of his team.

Deranque’s family has appealed for calm. Their lawyer, Fabien Rajon, said the family condemns any call for violence and rejects all forms of political extremism.

The killing has further polarised France’s political landscape. Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, accused Macron and former prime ministers Gabriel Attal and Edouard Philippe of indirectly strengthening the hard left.

The Lyon attack, France's political violence, the National Rally 2027 presidential election and France's far-right tensions are now central themes in the country’s intensifying electoral debate.

Inputs from agencies