G7 Summit in Italy: A gathering of lame ducks?

The upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit, set to open in Italy on Thursday, is likely to be a meeting of weak politicians rather than a display of Western power, Report informs via the European version of Politico.

The publication assesses that the summit participants will consist of "six lame ducks and Giorgia Meloni." Most G7 leaders are currently facing numerous domestic political problems and crises, particularly in the wake of the recent European Parliament elections, and are "desperately clinging to power."

"With the exception of Meloni, all the leaders at the G7 summit are quite weak," said Ivo Daalder, former U Ambassador to NATO (2009-2013). He explained that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is unlikely to win the next election, and the same fate may await US President Joe Biden. Daalder also described the positions of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron as weak, while labeling British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a "walking dead man." Finally, even Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has "serious problems at home."

The only G7 summit participant in a strong position appears to be Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, according to Politico. Following the impressive results her Brothers of Italy party achieved in the recent European Parliament elections, she has gained the opportunity to play a decisive role in shaping Brussels' policies.