Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has brushed off the recent controversy surrounding the absence of the word "abortion" in the G7 summit's final statement. The issue arose after the commitment made by G7 nations last year to address access to "safe and legal abortion" was not included in this year's statement.

Reports suggest that France and the US were engaged in a diplomatic dispute with Italy over whether to mention abortion in the final statement. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed regret over the omission, citing France's constitutional protection of the right to abortion. However, PM Meloni dismissed the controversy as "totally contrived" and claimed there was no argument at the summit.

Last year's statement, following a summit in Hiroshima, emphasized the commitment to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, including addressing access to safe and legal abortion. This year's statement reiterated the commitment to adequate, affordable, and quality health services for women, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.

PM Meloni justified the omission of explicit references to abortion, stating that the intention was to prevent the document from becoming repetitive. She argued that it is common for final documents of such sessions to exclude matters that are already considered established.

The Group of Seven (G7), consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, holds meetings to discuss global events, form agreements, and publish joint statements. Besides the G7 countries, representatives from other nations, including Turkey, India, and Ukraine, attended the summit hosted by Italy in Puglia, in the southern region of Italy.

American officials stated that US President Joe Biden pushed back after learning that PM Meloni did not want the terms "abortion" and "reproductive rights" included in the statement. President Macron expressed disappointment over the exclusion, underscoring France's commitment to gender equality.

PM Meloni criticized President Macron for using the G7 summit as a platform for his upcoming French election campaign. This critique followed Macron's decision to call a snap election after his party's defeat in the recent European elections. PM Meloni, on the other hand, solidified her political standing by increasing her party's vote in the 2022 general election.

The disagreement between France and Italy extends beyond the issue of abortion, as Rome reportedly expressed irritation over Paris announcing a $50 billion loan for Ukraine before obtaining full confirmation. Social media captured a tense moment between PM Meloni and President Macron, as she shot him a steely glare during a formal dinner at the summit.

PM Meloni's brother-in-law and current agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, questioned the appropriateness of mentioning abortion in the final statement of a G7 summit attended by the Pope. While abortion is technically legal in Italy, access remains inconsistent due to the significant number of medical personnel who refuse to perform abortions as conscientious objectors.

In parallel news, left-wing parties in France proclaimed their unity to challenge the far-right National Rally party in upcoming snap elections. Meanwhile, protests erupted in several cities over a law change that could equate abortion to homicide. Additionally, France's announcement of a loan to Ukraine to aid in their conflict against Russian forces drew condemnation from Moscow.