"France refrains from instructing Italy. [Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo] Salvini and [Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development Luigi] Di Maio should learn to clean up their own home", Loiseau posted on Twitter on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Di Maio published an open letter to the protesters, dubbed "Yellow vests, do not give up!" offering them support from his Five Star Movement party, slamming acts of violence by French police officers, and qualifying the yellow vest movement as a peaceful one. He also said that both the French and the Italian governments were ignoring citizens' needs and denying their right to influence decision-making.
READ MORE: Over 1,000 People Sentenced in France Over Yellow Vest Protests
Salvini took the baton on from Di Maio, expressing support for "decent citizens protesting against the president who is against his people." In his statement, Salvini also said that he "firmly and fully" condemned any act of violence.
Instead, the rallies have evolved into a broader movement against government policies and rising living costs. The protests have been marked by violent clashes between yellow vest supporters and the police.
