In recent years, there have been heated exchanges between Italian and French officials, especially regarding their converse stances on immigration.
But their opposing stance on this issue only scratches the surface of a much deeper rift between the two European countries — one that dates back to the 19th century.
Despite their geographic proximity and shared history, tension between the two countries dates back to the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, which lasted until World War II in the 1940s. Colonial competition and Mussolini’s fascist rule were the main drivers of this tension.
In the 1950s, efforts were made to reestablish amicable relations. However, occasional tensions persisted such as conflicts over Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Africa, and trade wars.
But to this day, debates can often turn into heated exchanges, even over seemingly harmless topics such as art, whether it is about the creative genius Leonardo da Vinci, who was born in Italy and died in France or the Mona Lisa — a coveted treasure of the Louvre Museum that represents the shared heritage between the two countries.
However, despite feuds and heated arguments, common interests shared by Paris and Rome will always prevail given their rich shared history, and both capitals are fundamental to the European Union’s mission and identity.
Issue at hand
Switching back to the topic at hand, it’s important to note that French President Emmanuel Macron has frequently clashed with successive Italian administrations on immigration, particularly concerning the management of their shared borders and the treatment of rescued immigrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
The current crisis unfolded when the French Minister of Interior, Gérald Darmanin, stated on 4 May that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is "incapable of addressing the immigration issues that made her win the election in the first place."
Read more: Can Meloni fill Merkel’s shoes?