melons news clash france what happened

Diplomatic storm between Italy and France, or rather between the Prime Minister in pectore Giorgia Meloni and the French Minister for European Affairs, Laurence Boone.

“We want to work with Rome, but we will ensure that rights and freedoms are respected,” Boone said in an interview with Repubblica. The new Minister for European Affairs of the French government also declared that “it is important that the Meloni government remains on the European front against Moscow and in favor of sanctions”. “We will respect the democratic choice of the Italians,” he said again.

Giorgia Meloni. Photo Ansa / Giuseppe Lami

“Europe must remain united, especially in the face of the war that Russia has declared on Ukraine, with the sanctions that we have adopted. On this point, Meloni has clearly expressed his support for what Europe is doing. After that, it is clear that we have differences. We will be very careful to respect the values ​​and rules of the rule of law. The EU has already shown that it is vigilant towards other countries like Hungary and Poland”.

France is also in favor of including the right to abortion in the European Charter of Human Rights. “We need unanimity, therefore – emphasizes French Minister Boone – we must be able to convince all countries. We must raise a voice for the protection of the rights of women, sexual minorities and all minorities in general. When we see what happened in the United States, we understand that we must remain extremely vigilant.

French Minister for European Affairs, Laurence Boone. Photo Ansa / Epa Yoan Valat

Melons: ‘Unacceptable interference’

FdI leader Giorgia Meloni responds with a Facebook post. “I read in ‘La Repubblica’ that the French Minister Laurence Boone said: ‘We want to work with Rome but we will ensure respect for rights and freedoms’ and ‘we will be very attentive to respect for the values ​​and rules of the rule of law”. “EU. The era of PD-led governments seeking protection abroad is over.”

France’s response

Sources in the cabinet of the French Minister for European Affairs, Laurence Boone, a reply has filtered which would be reassuring for Giorgia Meloni. “The presentation in this interview of the relationship we intend to have with Italy oversimplifies the minister’s thinking. As he said, France obviously respects the democratic choice of the Italians. The minister, close to Italy, wants to continue the work of cooperation and wishes to dialogue with the future executive as soon as possible”. “The Minister – they conclude – does not intend to give lessons to anyone”.

A meeting of the French government at the Palazzo Matignon, Paris. Photo Ansa / Epa Christophe Petit Tesson