France’s foreign ministry said Thursday it had recalled its ambassador to Rome for consultations after a series of “provocations” by leaders of Italy’s populist government.
“For several months France has been the subject of repeated accusations, unfounded attacks and outlandish claims,” the ministry said in a statement, calling them “unprecedented” since the end of World War II.
Italy’s two deputy prime ministers, Matteo Salvini of the right-wing League and Luigi Di Maio of the populist, anti-establishment 5-Star movement, have goaded French President Emmanuel Macron on a host of inflammatory issues.
“All of these actions are creating a serious situation which is raising questions about the Italian government’s intentions towards France,” added the statement.