A video has gone viral showcasing Giorgia Meloni’s seemingly less than enthusiastic reaction to shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during the G-7 summit in Italy.
The video clip from Friday depicts Macron greeting a line of dignitaries, shaking hands with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, First Lady of Italy Laura Mattarella, before reaching Meloni.
As Macron approaches, Meloni is seen giving a seemingly cold “death stare” in his direction. When the French leader arrives, she appears to force a smile as they shake hands.
The interaction comes after the two leaders disagreed on the use of the word “abortion” in the G-7 statement. Meloni’s government had attempted to dilute references to abortion in the final statement issued by all G-7 nations at the conclusion of the summit.
The final statement, released Friday, omits the word “abortion” but does mention the need to promote “reproductive health and rights.”
Macron expressed regret over the decision, telling an Italian reporter on Thursday, “It’s not a vision that’s shared across all the political spectrum.”
“I regret it, but I respect it because it was the sovereign choice of your people,” Macron stated.
Meloni told reporters Saturday that a suspected dispute with Macron had been exaggerated.
Meloni, who in 2022 became Italy’s first female Prime Minister, campaigned on a platform of “God, fatherland, and family.” She has prioritized encouraging women to have babies to address Italy’s demographic crisis.
Italy legalized abortion in 1978, and Meloni has promised she will not overturn the law.
Digital has reached out to Meloni’s office for comment.