Macron Tells Meloni to Refrain From Commenting on France’s Internal Matters

President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday rebuked Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, urging her to refrain from “commenting on what is happening in other people’s countries,” after she reacted to the fatal beating of a far-right activist in France.

Quentin Deranque, 23, died from head injuries after being attacked by a group of assailants last week on the margins of a far-right protest at a university in Lyon. According to a source close to the investigation, most of the 11 suspects detained are linked to far-left movements.

The killing has intensified political tensions in France ahead of municipal elections in March and the 2027 presidential race, where the far-right National Rally party is widely viewed as having a strong opportunity.

Speaking a day earlier, Meloni described Deranque’s death as “a wound for all of Europe.” Macron responded sharply during his visit to New Delhi, saying, “Let everyone stay in their own lane.”

Macron also stressed that France has no tolerance for groups that “adopt and legitimize violence,” adding that nothing can justify deadly political confrontation “on one side or the other.”

A member of the French president’s team said Macron is closely monitoring the situation and warned against “any spiral of violence.”

As part of the probe into intentional homicide, 11 individuals — eight men and three women — have been taken into custody. Those detained reportedly include two parliamentary assistants to Raphaël Arnault of France Unbowed (LFI), as well as a former intern.

Fabien Rajon, a lawyer representing Deranque’s parents, called for calm, stating that the family “condemns any call for violence” and rejects “any form of political violence.”

Meanwhile, National Rally president Jordan Bardella blamed France’s political leadership, accusing Macron and former prime ministers Gabriel Attal and Édouard Philippe of emboldening the hard left.