Since taking office in 2022, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has shown pragmatism on international issues, easing fears of her conservative stance. However, at this week’s G7 summit in southern Italy, she firmly defended nationalist views on family and reproductive rights.
Meloni successfully demanded the removal of “safe and legal abortion” references from the final G7 statement and weakened language on vaccination funding. Despite opposition, she leveraged Italy’s position as rotating president of the G7 to influence negotiations.
“Meloni is against abortion and always has been, so that was her red line,” said a European diplomat. Meloni’s party, Brothers of Italy, opposes abortion and promotes traditional family values. Political expert Daniele Albertazzi noted, “She wants to stress her identity on these issues.”
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed regret over the absence of abortion references, while Meloni dismissed the controversy, stating that the G7’s support for abortion access was already clear from previous declarations. A senior U.S. official confirmed President Joe Biden’s initial objection to removing the abortion reference but later supported the final wording.
Pope Francis, a known opponent of abortion, attended the summit, influencing Italy’s stance. Meloni’s unexpected move to dilute vaccine language also surprised some, reflecting conservative skepticism toward vaccinations.
Meloni’s office declined to comment on these decisions.
