France and Italy navigate present-day tensions against backdrop of historical rift

In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani promptly cancelled his planned visit to Paris and demanded an apology from Darmanin the following day. In turn, Meloni advised Paris to "exercise caution when using other governments to settle domestic political scores."

On its part, the French government tried to ease tensions. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne acknowledged Rome as a "crucial partner" and expressed her desire to collaborate with Italy in addressing the "shared challenge" of immigration.

Before and after the recent crisis, Rome has condemned what it perceives as attempts by Paris to avoid receiving illegal immigrants crossing the Mediterranean, particularly due to France's strict border controls to prevent their entry through the southern part of the country.

The 2023 crisis brings to mind a similar situation in 2019 when tensions peaked, leading to Paris recalling its ambassador in Rome in protest against statements made by Italian officials that were deemed "crossing all boundaries."

These statements criticised French policies in Africa and Libya, Paris' approach to the refugee issue, the Yellow Vest protest movement (2017-2019), and President Macron personally.

Thus, there is a similarity between the recent statements made by Darmanin  (from the right-wing camp within Macron's circle and a potential successor) and the controversial statements made in 2019 by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

While far-right nationalism is a shared characteristic among certain Italian officials, in France, both the far right and radical left are the major political poles.

Therefore, internal considerations will play a significant role in positively or negatively effecting relations, especially considering Italy's known political instability and France's current fragmented political landscape.

Immigrants: Facts v fiction

The recent episode of tension between France and Italy takes place amidst the broader context of European turmoil, economic challenges, the rise of populism, and increased strategic vulnerabilities heightened by the Ukraine conflict and the lack of a strong European pole in an emerging global landscape.

The trigger for the recent crises — particularly illegal immigration and the burden it places on Italy due to its geographical location — has been instrumental in bringing sceptical and hardline nationalist parties to power in Italy.

This issue is further exacerbated by Europe's inability to formulate a cohesive and effective strategy for immigration and asylum.

In recent times, voices in Italy have expressed concerns about "ethnic replacement," referring to immigrants from non-European countries, echoing the theory put forth by French far-right presidential candidate Eric Zemmour about the "great replacement."

However, a World Bank report published last April contradicts this notion.

In reality, the wealthiest European countries host approximately 43 million immigrants, including 8 million refugees, primarily from Ukraine.

The majority come from other European countries (56%) and, to a lesser extent, from the Middle East and North Africa (13%), while sub-Saharan Africa represents only 8% of the total.

The World Bank states that "only a third of migration from sub-Saharan Africa (10.3 million people) went to EU countries, the UK, and the US" which negates the idea of "ethnic replacement."

Extradition battle and economic competition

Another contentious issue that poisons bilateral relations is the Italian government's request for Paris to extradite 14 Italians wanted on terrorism charges from the violent revolutionary left era of the 1980s, who have sought refuge in France.

Despite Macron's relative leniency compared to his predecessors on this matter, the French judiciary refuses to expedite the extradition process.

However, what often goes unmentioned is the conflict of oil and commercial interests — extending from Libya to Algeria and beyond. 

In recent times, relations between Paris and Rome within the EU have improved after France and Germany — the heavyweights of Europe — experienced a fallout.  Italy's radical Atlanticist tendency has not hindered its efforts to enhance military and industrial cooperation with Paris.

Against this backdrop, Paris recognises the importance of improving relations between with Rome.

According to informed sources, President Emmanuel Macron is inclined to appoint a seasoned diplomat as the new ambassador to Rome.

The candidate for the position is Martan Briance, a former director in the Ministry of Defence and a former official of the foreign intelligence administration. His mission would be to manage the ongoing crisis related to the immigration issue.

Over 2,000 years ago, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, known as the River of Fear, which served as the border between Roman Italy and the southern Gaul province (now part of modern-day France).

Today, some officials in France may be crossing boundaries and red lines with Italy but, luckily, we are not in the era of Caesar or the emperors on both sides of the Alps.