Why French President Emmanuel Macron and the Mayor of Rome Are Fighting OverEmily in Paris

Mar. 15, 2025

Emmanuel Macron, Lily Collins as Emily in ‘Emily in Paris’, Roberto Gualtier.Photo:Arturo Holmes/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix; Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty

Arturo Holmes/Getty; Courtesy of Netflix; Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty

A hilarious debate has ensued between French PresidentEmmanuel Macronand the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, for one reason: Emily Cooper.

In an interview withVarietypublished on Wednesday, Oct. 9, Macron shared his response to Emily (Lily Collins)leaving Paris to head off to Rome in part 2 of season 4of the hit Netflix seriesEmily in Paris.

“We will fight hard. And we will ask them to remain in Paris!Emily in Parisin Rome doesn‘t make sense,” said Macron about Rome becoming a setting for the show’s upcoming fifth season.

French President Emmanuel Macron.Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP/Getty

Ludovic Marin/POOL/AFP/Getty

CreatorDarren Starpreviously told Netflix’sTudumthatseason 5 will continue Emily’s adventures in both Rome and Paris.

“Emily’s going to have a presence in Rome. It doesn’t mean she’s not going to be in Paris, but she’s going to have a presence in Rome," said Star in a statement.

However, having RomeandParis be a character in the show doesn’t sit well with both political leaders.

Lucien Laviscount as Alfie, Lily Collins as Emily in ‘Emily in Paris’.Stephanie Branchu/Netflix

Stephanie Branchu/Netflix

Macron toldVarietythat he was happy to see his wife,Brigitte Macron, make a cameo on the show since “it’s good for the image of France.”

“Emily in Parisis super positive in terms of attractiveness for the country. For my own business, it’s a very good initiative,” he explained.

Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri.Simona Granati/Corbis via Getty

Simona Granati/Corbis via Getty

“I would like to believe, at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking, because he ought to know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure,” Gualtieri added, expressing that there are “a few other matters of state in Europe for Macron that are more important than Emily.”

Lily Collins as Emily in ‘Emily in Paris’.Stephanie Branchu/Netflix

“We see Emily’s move to Rome as a confirmation that our city is becoming more and more important, and we are quite relaxed about Netflix production decisions,” his statement continued. “They know what they are doing. To be honest, we think Mr Macron should just relax.”

While speaking with PEOPLE on the red carpet atthe premiere for season 4 part 2 in Rome on Tuesday, Sept. 10, Star shared that the show was taken to Rome to expand its “footprint” and “broaden out the universe.”

“Rome to me is like the other great romantic city in Europe, and it’s a bit of a yin and yang to Paris,” said Star. “And also the story took us here. You know, Italy is — just like France — sort of known for fashion, design, style, in a different way.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Emily in Parisis streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com