Italy populist leaders back France 'yellow vest' protests

The two leaders of Italy's ruling populist coalition on Monday threw their support behind the "yellow vest" protesters roiling neighbouring France.

"Yellow vests, do not weaken!" Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, who heads the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), wrote on his party's blog.

He denounced the French government for protecting the elite and the privileged.

Matteo Salvini, his counterpart from the far-right, the anti-immigrant League, also backed the "yellow vest" protesters.

"I support honest citizens protesting against a president who governs against his people," Salvini said in a statement, while "firmly" condemning recent protest violence.

On Monday, Di Maio offered French protesters the use of their so-called Rousseau platform to improve organisation and "draw up an electoral programme".

"This system (Rousseau) is made for a horizontal and spontaneous movement such as yours and we would be happy if you want to use it," Di Maio wrote.

M5S has vaunted direct ..