Italian PM Meloni gives France’s Macron ‘death stare’ after clash over G-7 statement

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Italy’s Meloni gives France’s Macron ‘death stare’ after clash over G-7 statement

The icy exchange between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron followed a disagreement over the word "abortion" in the G-7 summit statement.

A video has gone viral showing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni looking not too thrilled about shaking the hand of French President Emmanuel Macron during the G-7 summit in Italy. 

The video clip from Friday shows Macron going down a line, shaking the hands of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter, First Lady of Italy Laura Mattarella, before arriving at Meloni. 

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, listens to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a working session with world leaders during a G-7 summit at Borgo Egnazia, Italy, on Thursday.  (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

As Macron makes his way down the line, Meloni can be seen giving a frosty “death stare” at Macron. When the French leader arrives, she appears to force a smile as the two shake hands. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stares at French President Emmanuel Macron after shaking hands at the G-7 summit. (Fox News Digital)

The exchange came after the two leaders clashed over the use of the word “abortion” in the G-7 statement. Meloni’s government had sought to water down references to abortion in the final statement issued by all the G-7 nations at the end of the summit. 

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The final statement, released Friday, omits the word “abortion” but does reference the need to promote “reproductive health and rights.” 

Macron said that he regretted the decision, telling an Italian reporter on Thursday, “It’s not a vision that’s shared across all the political spectrum.” 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during a final media conference at the G-7 in Borgo Egnazia, near Bari in southern Italy, on Saturday.  (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

“I regret it, but I respect it because it was the sovereign choice of your people,” Macron said. 

Meloni told reporters Saturday that a suspected row with Macron had been blown out of proportion. 

Meloni, who in 2022 became Italy’s first female Prime Minister, campaigned with the slogan of “God, fatherland, and family.” She has prioritized encouraging women to have babies to reverse Italy’s demographic crisis. 

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Italy legalized abortion in 1978, and Meloni has promised she won’t roll back the law.  

Fox News Digital has reached out to Meloni’s office for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.