G7: Italy's Meloni plays down abortion row with France's Macron

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has played down a row with French President Emmanuel Macron over abortion rights, saying their differences are not "a big deal." Meloni, who leads a government that opposes abortion, met with Macron at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The pair discussed a number of issues, including Ukraine, the economy, and climate change. However, abortion rights also came up, with Macron expressing concern about changes to the law in Italy that would make it more difficult to access abortion. Meloni, however, has insisted that her government is not seeking to ban abortion. Macron said he had a "frank and open" conversation with Meloni, adding that he would continue to be "very attentive" to the situation in Italy. He said that he believed in the right to choose and that it should be guaranteed for everyone. Meloni, who is a devout Catholic, has previously expressed her personal opposition to abortion. However, she has also said that she will respect the existing law in Italy. In response to Macron's concerns, Meloni said that her government is "pro-life" but not "anti-choice." She added that she is committed to protecting women's health. The abortion row is the latest in a series of differences between the two leaders. Meloni's government has also been criticized for its policies on migration and LGBTQ+ rights. Despite their differences, Meloni and Macron are both committed to working together on a range of issues, including Ukraine and the economy. The two leaders are expected to continue to discuss their differences in the future.

Summary

"Giorgia Meloni and Emmanuel Macron met at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan and discussed a number of issues, including abortion rights. Macron expressed concern about changes to the law in Italy that would make it more difficult to access abortion, while Meloni insists that her government is not seeking to ban abortion. Despite their differences, both leaders are committed to working together on a range of issues."