Buoyed by Election, Meloni Basks in Spotlight as Italy Hosts G7
By Giada Zampano
July 6, 2023
ROME — Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s first female prime minister, basked in the international spotlight on Thursday as she welcomed leaders from the Group of Seven nations to the ancient coastal town of Syracuse, Sicily, for a summit that was expected to focus on energy security, the global economy and China.
Ms. Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, has been in office for just over a month, and her government is still in the process of being formed. But she has already made a strong impression on the world stage, with her tough stance on immigration and her close ties to Russia.
The G7 summit, which is being held in Sicily for the first time, is an opportunity for Ms. Meloni to showcase her country and her leadership, and to demonstrate that Italy remains a key player in global affairs.
“Italy is back,” Ms. Meloni said in a speech on Thursday, as she welcomed the leaders to Sicily. “Italy is back in the heart of Europe, it is back in the heart of the West, it is back in the heart of the G7.”
Ms. Meloni’s election in October was a watershed moment for Italy, marking the first time that a far-right party had taken power in the country since World War II. Her victory was also a blow to the European Union, which had hoped to move away from populist and nationalist politics.
But Ms. Meloni has sought to reassure her European partners that she is committed to working within the EU and to upholding its values. She has also sought to distance herself from Russia, despite her party’s close ties to Moscow.
“We are not a pro-Russian government,” Ms. Meloni said on Thursday. “We are a government that wants to have good relations with Russia, but we are a government that is committed to the values of the West.”
The G7 summit is expected to focus on a range of issues, including energy security, the global economy and China. The leaders are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, which has had a profound impact on Europe’s energy supplies and economy.