Giorgia Meloni in a strong position against weakened partners

Four days after the European elections which reassured her, the President of the Italian Council receives near Bari the heads of state and government of the seven most industrialized countries.

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The President of the Italian Council Giorgia Meloni between the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron, in Valletta (Malta) on September 29, 2023 (LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP)

The summit of G7 heads of state and government is being held on Thursday June 13 and Friday June 14 under the Italian presidency in Borgo Egnazia, in Puglia. On the agenda for discussions, among others: the two major international crises of the moment, the war in Ukraine and Gaza.

This summit comes at a time when most leaders of G7 member countries are facing difficulties in their countries. The traditional “family photo” will bring together a host of weakened leaders around Giorgia Meloni, strengthened after the European elections. The Italian will notably have two lame-ducks from the poll at her side: Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz.

“Giorgia Meloni is the strongest politician in Europe at the moment.”

An Italian political scientist

after the European elections

Other participants in this summit fear upcoming elections: this is the case of the British Rishi Sunak, who called legislative elections at the beginning of July, and of course Joe Biden, campaigning for his re-election in the United States
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Beyond the essential subjects Meloni pushed on the G7 table a few issues at the heart of his agenda: immigration taken from the angle of aid to countries of departure, to limit candidates for exile. Will G7 partners increase development aid? Will the Italian touch be seen in the final press release? At the Elysée yesterday, we said we were satisfied with the text in preparation, with one exception: sexual health. Like last year, will there be a commitment from the G7 to promote access to safe and legal abortion? Response at the end of the summit


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