“We reject any instrumentalization of this drama (…) for political purposes,” Barrot said on France Inter. Summoning an ambassador is seen – especially among allies – as a clear diplomatic means of protest.

Paris summons US ambassador

The US Embassy in France had distributed a message from the US State Department’s counterterrorism office on X, in which the killing in Lyon was seen as evidence of a worrying threat from left-wing extremist violence. They will continue to monitor the situation and hope that those responsible for this violence will be brought to justice, the statement added.

Barrot now replied that there was no need for instruction from the “reactionary International”, especially when it came to violence. The analyzes of political life and the role of violence are carried out with sufficient emphasis.

Several suspects are said to belong to the radical left

The 23-year-old activist, who according to French media belonged to several right-wing extremist groups, was attacked and fatally injured on the sidelines of a right-wing rally in Lyon in the middle of the month. French authorities are currently investigating whether and to what extent left-wing extremist groups were involved – among the suspects arrested are several men who are said to belong to the radical left. The case has caused consternation across the country and sparked discussions about political violence.

A few days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron reacted angrily to Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describing the death of the French activist as “a wound for all of Europe” and blaming left-wing extremists overwhelmed by ideological hatred for it. The nationalists, who wanted to remain undisturbed, were always the first to comment on what was happening elsewhere, said Macron. “Everyone stays at home, then the sheep will be well looked after.”