The heads of France and Italy have clashed over the death of a right-wing activist in France

February 21, 2026

TL;DR

French President Emmanuel Macron clashed with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over comments regarding the death of right-wing activist Quentin Deranque.
Deranque died following a brawl in Lyon, France; most of the 11 detained suspects are reportedly from left-wing movements.
Meloni called Deranque's killing a "wound for all of Europe" and decried "ideological hatred."
Macron advised Meloni to "stay in her own lane" and questioned nationalists commenting on other countries' affairs.
Meloni expressed surprise at Macron's reaction, stating her focus was on societal polarization, not interference.
French ministers blamed "ultra-left" activists, while Deranque's supporters described the incident as a "lynching."
Two men were charged with murder, and an aide to a left-wing politician was charged with "complicity by instigation."
The left-wing party La France Insoumise denied connections and accused authorities of "political manipulation."

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