British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau caused amusement at the start of the G20 summit in Rome with a slight delay. Your counterparts had already lined up for a group photo on Saturday morning and smiled into the cameras when it was noticed that two places on the podium were empty. Only then did Johnson and Trudeau join. «Boris! Booorrris! ”Shouted Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi to his colleague from Great Britain with a smile.
Johnson and Trudeau scurried past the waiting and amused other top politicians. French President Emmanuel Macron greeted the two late comers with a broad grin with a handshake, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also had to laugh.
Various rallies
The heads of state and government of the 20 largest economic powers will meet in Rome on Saturday to discuss various topics. Among other things, it is about Corona, but also the climate crisis.
Protests also broke out during the summit. Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday afternoon. The demonstrators included climate activists and left-wing groups. People moved from the south towards the historic center. Police forces secured the start of the demonstration.
Almost at the same time, the Communist Party held a rally not far east of the Colosseum with a few hundred participants and demonstrated against the government of Mario Draghi. In the opening speech, it was said, among other things, that the system of Italy’s Prime Minister Draghi was not made for workers.
Massive deployment of security forces
In the morning, a few dozen climate activists had already blocked a street that leads in the direction of the G20 venue in the Eur district in the south of Rome. Police carried the seated demonstrators off the road, as can be seen in photos. Later the activists headed for the center. Small, peaceful protests had already taken place the day before.
Italy has increased the police presence in the capital in advance of the G20 summit. Almost 5,300 additional security guards were in the city. The military secured important locations such as train stations, sights, embassies and ministries with around 2,000 soldiers.