Macron support ‘was a mistake’: Fury in the EU over Brussels’ golden boy
EMMANUEL Macron’s election success was celebrated across Brussels – with the elite lauding him for his pro-European push – but the joy seems to have been short-lived.
By ZOIE O’BRIEN
Express.co.uk
Mon, Jul 31, 2017
The young French president has sparked anger in Italy after undermining deals between Rome and his predecessor Francois Hollande.
The Italian leadership is also furious with Mr Macron on the issue of migration.
While Italy was steadfast and demanded the European Union take its equal share of migrants from Africa, Macron announced he would make camps safe in Libya.
The intervention broke rank with the Italian-line, making the nation look as though it was failing to act, despite it taking tens of thousands of migrants while other countries look on.
Keen to make a good impression on the global stage Mr Macron oversaw a meeting in Paris of the leaders of two of war-torn Libya’s rival factions to discuss a political power-sharing deal.
The meeting between Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and Mr Macron was heavily criticised by the Italians who insisted he had underestimated the problem.
The UN backed “unity” Government in Libya barely has control of Tripoli while separate militias run the rest of the lawless land.
Italy’s foreign minister, Angelino Alfano, told the Italian newspaper La Stampa: “There are too many open formats in Libya, too many mediators, too many initiatives.”
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