During the G-7 summit in Italy, a video went viral showing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looking less than pleased about shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron. The video clip shows Macron shaking hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, the first lady of Italy Laura Mattarella, before arriving at Meloni. As Macron approaches, Meloni can be seen giving a frosty “death stare” before forcing a smile as they shake hands. The awkward exchange followed a clash between the two leaders over the use of the word “abortion” in the G-7 statement. Meloni’s government had sought to water down references to abortion in the final statement issued by all G-7 nations, which eventually omitted the word but included a reference to promoting “reproductive health and rights.”
Macron expressed regret over the decision, stating that it was not a vision shared across all political spectrums. He acknowledged that while he regretted the outcome, he respected it as the sovereign choice of the Italian people. Meloni, on the other hand, downplayed any tension with Macron, suggesting that the incident had been blown out of proportion. As Italy’s first female Prime Minister, Meloni campaigned with the slogan of “God, fatherland, and family,” emphasizing the importance of encouraging women to have babies to address the country’s demographic crisis. Despite her conservative views, Meloni has assured the public that she will not roll back Italy’s abortion laws, which were legalized in 1978.
The G-7 summit statement released on Friday underscored the need to promote reproductive health and rights without explicitly mentioning abortion. This compromise was the result of negotiations between member countries with differing views on the issue. Macron’s remarks reflected his disappointment with the final decision, highlighting the divide among global leaders on reproductive rights. Meloni’s hosting of the G-7 leaders and her interactions with Macron have put her in the spotlight, drawing attention to her government’s stance on social issues. The incident has sparked speculation about the dynamics between Meloni and other world leaders and the implications for future collaborations.
The viral video of the awkward handshake between Meloni and Macron has stirred curiosity about the underlying tensions between the two leaders. The exchange occurred amidst broader discussions about reproductive rights and the role of government in regulating such matters. Meloni’s commitment to upholding Italy’s abortion laws while promoting pro-natalist policies has garnered attention from both supporters and critics. The incident at the G-7 summit has highlighted the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of reconciling differing viewpoints on contentious issues. As Meloni continues to navigate global politics, her interactions with Macron and other world leaders will be closely scrutinized for their implications on future relations between countries.
