French foreign minister criticizes Italian PM over migrant crisis

France’s Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, criticized Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for being “incapable of resolving the migration problems” in her country.

Speaking on RMC radio, Darmanin drew parallels between Meloni and French far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

He also stated that Italy faced a “very serious migration crisis” and highlighted the recent arrival of migrants, including children, at France’s southeastern border with Italy.

Darmanin’s comments risk fueling tensions between Paris and Rome, as the two countries have clashed repeatedly over migration in recent years.

The most recent spike in tensions came last November when Meloni refused to allow a humanitarian ship carrying 230 migrants to dock in Italy.

However, relations have since improved, with Macron and Meloni meeting in Brussels in March for talks.

The comments were made on the same day that Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was visiting Paris for talks with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna.