(CNN) France has recalled its ambassador from Italy for consultations over "unprecedented" and "repeated" criticism by Italian officials, the French foreign ministry said in a statement Thursday.

"For several months, France has been the target of repeated criticism, baseless attacks and outrageous declarations that everyone knows about," it said.

"This is unprecedented since the end of the war. To have disagreements is one thing, to exploit the relationship for electoral aims is another."

In the statement, Paris said the criticisms "create a serious situation that questions the intentions of the Italian government with regards to its relationship to France."

The decision to recall the ambassador comes one day after a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said it was "unacceptable" that Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi di Maio met with France's yellow vest anti-government protesters.

Leader of Italy's populist Five Star Movement Luigi Di Maio inflamed tensions between France and Italy after meeting French anti-government protesters.

Read More