Gilets jaunes protesters in Lille, northern France, this week. The Italian Five Star party has promised to support the protesters’ political ambitions

Italy’s governing populist party is to hold talks with the leaders of France’s yellow-vest movement about forming an alliance, a remarkable affront to President Macron.

Paris reacted angrily after Luigi Di Maio, the leader of the Five Star party, expressed support for the protesters in France. “We are making contact,” a Five Star source said yesterday. Mr Di Maio told the yellow-vest protesters, “Do not give up!”

Thousands have demonstrated against Mr Macron since November. Across France demonstrations have become violent, including the ramming of a government office with a forklift truck last weekend.

Luigi Di Maio was accused of backing the gilets jaunes to narrow a polling gap with his coalition partners GIUSEPPE LAMI/EPA

Mr Di Maio, whose party is in a populist coalition government with the League party, led by Matteo Salvini, wrote about his support for the protesters’ battle against France’s “privileged” ruling