We can never say enough bad things about the anti-institutional behavior of the two strongmen of the Italian government, who behave like “bosses,” confusing their role as political leaders with that of Deputy Prime Minister (as required by the Italian Constitution).
The political leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S) visit to France last week to meet with a small group of Yellow Vests is inappropriate, and the French Government rightly gave a strong signal by recalling its Ambassador from Paris. In relations between States, there are lines that must not be crossed, at least formally.
Luigi Di Maio’s motivation—”I was acting in my capacity as the leader of a political party”—further aggravated the controversy, with the figure thinking he could get away with the deceit by which he built his political career from the ground up (he was a stadium steward at the Naples football stadium).
However, already last Sunday, Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi ended the controversy by officially declaring (as one of the two ministers in this government “suggested” by the President of the Republic Mattarella, the other being Minister of Economy and Finance Tria—one cannot think without the approval of the latter): “The relationship between Italy and France is guaranteed by European treaties and their standards, the alliance within the Atlantic Organization (NATO), solid trade relations, geographical proximity, and the friendship between the two peoples.”
The Italian president, guarantor of international relations, had firmly reminded the coalition government partners of their obligations after their declarations of support for the Yellow Vests.
Subsequently, the situation normalized after a phone call between the two heads of state who spoke on the phone and then issued this statement:
“The two presidents reaffirmed the importance of the relationship, nourished by exceptional historical, economic, and cultural ties. They recalled that France and Italy have built Europe together and have a particular responsibility to work together for the defense and revival of the European Union.”
Today Ambassador Masset returns to Rome and will resume his place in his magnificent office at the Palazzo Farnese.
