A recent diplomatic rift between France and Italy is escalating following remarks made by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini regarding potential French military involvement in Ukraine. Paris has deemed Salvini’s comments “unacceptable,” according to reports emerging Monday.
Salvini, who also serves as Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron to “hang on to the tram,” a colloquial expression suggesting he should “fend for himself,” in response to a question about France’s intentions in Ukraine. The exchange occurred on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, but tensions remained high as of Monday, August 25, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remaining publicly silent on the matter.
The incident comes as Italy prepares for a series of referendums, including one concerning citizenship laws, scheduled for June 8-9. While seemingly unrelated, the political climate in Italy is marked by a right-wing coalition government that has largely promoted abstention from the referendums, particularly the one regarding citizenship, in an attempt to prevent the required 50% voter turnout needed for the results to be valid. This strategy reflects a broader pattern of political maneuvering within the Meloni administration.
Matteo Salvini has been a prominent figure in Italian politics for over a decade, serving multiple terms in the European Parliament and as Minister of the Interior from 2018 to 2019. He currently leads the League party and assumed his current role as Deputy Prime Minister in October 2022. His previous stint as Deputy Prime Minister, alongside Luigi Di Maio, lasted from June 2018 to September 2019.
The French government has not yet issued a formal response beyond the initial characterization of Salvini’s comments as “unacceptable.” The situation is further complicated by ongoing debates within Italy regarding citizenship laws, with a referendum aiming to reduce the residency requirement for non-EU citizens seeking Italian citizenship from ten to five years. The outcome of this referendum, and the level of voter participation, could significantly impact Italy’s demographic and political landscape.
As of Monday, August 25, no further statements have been released by either the Italian Prime Minister’s office or the French government, leaving the diplomatic situation unresolved.
