When the G7 leaders gathered for their traditional photo on Italy’s Adriatic coast, it was clear they were not at the peak of their political power. Most were grappling with weakened positions at home due to elections, scandals, or waning influence. This precarious domestic situation for many leaders has heightened the stakes for global geopolitics.
The summit’s effectiveness is questioned as it occurs amid significant domestic discontent among its members. Far-right victories in European elections and upcoming critical votes in France, the UK, and the US contribute to anxiety about a populist resurgence.
French lawmakers expressed fears of a Trump victory at a state dinner for Biden, just before Macron suffered losses to the far right, leading him to dissolve the National Assembly. Biden’s national security adviser emphasized that despite these challenges, leaders would stay focused on their tasks, particularly on issues like migration and supporting Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is set to attend the summit, where leaders are pressured to shift the battlefield momentum against Russia. Plans to loan Ukraine billions for infrastructure, financed by interest from frozen Russian assets, were being finalized.
This G7 summit, marked by potential leadership changes and urgent global issues, is not a normal one. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the host, appears politically stable and has invited leaders from India, Brazil, Turkey, and the UAE to broaden discussions.
Biden, initially skeptical of Meloni’s right-wing populism, now sees her as an ally on Ukraine, although they differ on other issues. Leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Canada, and Japan face various political challenges, adding to the summit’s urgency.
Biden’s focus on alliances and defending the West is tested as he runs neck-and-neck with a rival convicted of felonies. The uncertainty of future leadership, particularly whether Trump or Biden will attend next year, looms over the gathering, recalling past tensions during Trump’s term.
