The Group of 7 leaders will convene at a luxury resort in Puglia, Italy for their yearly gathering, but they find themselves weakened at home by elections, scandal, and waning influence. The anti-incumbent sentiments in Western democracies are creating high stakes for global geopolitics. Rarely has the G7 summit been overshadowed by the political vulnerabilities of its members, leading to questions about the effectiveness of the “steering committee of the free world.” Populist resurgence and concerns about migration and defending Ukraine are driving the rightward shift within the G7.
The upcoming G7 summit follows far-right parties dominating in European Parliamentary elections and critical votes in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. French lawmakers expressed fears of a potential Donald Trump victory, as President Emmanuel Macron suffered losses to the far right, leading to snap elections. Migration and the burden of defending Ukraine remain central issues for the G7, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attending and a joint news conference with President Joe Biden scheduled to address the battlefield momentum.
Diplomats are finalizing plans to loan Ukraine tens of billions of dollars to rebuild its infrastructure, financed by interest from frozen Russian assets, with a new bilateral security pact with Ukraine to be presented by Biden. The specter of leadership change in the United States and beyond adds urgency to the G7 summit’s work, with uncertainty about the world’s future. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the host of the summit, emerged as the most stable political leader among the G7, supporting aid to Ukraine despite her right-wing populism.
Leaders from France, Germany, Britain, Canada, and Japan are dealing with various political challenges, including far-right surges, upcoming elections, and corruption scandals. Biden’s efforts to revive traditional alliances and defend the West are overshadowed by political rivalries at home. The uncertainty about whether Trump or Biden will be at the G7 table next year adds to the unknown factors surrounding the gathering. Past animosities and disagreements at G7 summits, such as those over climate, trade, and Russia’s participation, highlight the complexities and tensions within the group.
