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The G7 summit in the Bavarian mountains is likely to be the most important for years. It takes place in the middle of a war in Europe – and in the middle of a global food, energy, inflation and climate crisis. Never before have so many crises overshadowed the meeting as this time. What is it about?
What are the core issues? Above all, the heads of state and government of the G7 countries USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Great Britain and Italy want to demonstrate unity. Sending a signal of the unity of large Western democracies. Towards Russia and China, which is becoming ever more closely allied with it. A Marshall Plan for Ukraine is to be adopted, modeled on the US plan that helped Germany get back on its feet after World War II.
The seven want to show perseverance with the sanctions against Russia and prevent the solidarity against the warlord Vladimir Putin from crumbling. It should also be prevented that the urgent pursuit of energy security torpedoes the climate protection goals. A new “climate club” to be created, whose members support previous and possibly new climate goals, should serve this purpose. It is also about alleviating the consequences of the Ukraine war – food shortages, horrendous energy prices – especially for poor countries. And it is about joint precautions in the event of future pandemics. In short: a lot is at stake.
Legend:
G7 protest on Munich’s Theresienwiese followed by a demonstration. On Saturday, the G7 opponents were accompanied by a large police force.
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Who Shapes the G7 Summit? Thanks to its economic and military strength, the USA is always number 1 in this circle.
- But President Joe Biden makes a name for itself in the Ukraine conflict; he can forge alliances. But his support in the US is limited. He faces midterm elections, which his party is likely to lose. That diminishes his weight in the world.
- The summit host, Germany’s Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is a G7 newcomer tackling the Russian incursion into Ukraine. He lacks any charisma.
- Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson is under pressure at home, also in his own party. He would like to distract from this with a bold foreign policy appearance.
- The French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the key figures at the recent G7 summits, but is battered after losing his majority in parliament.
- Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi is a political obsolescence model. In his country, the strong pro-Russian forces are likely to become louder again soon and endanger the course set by Draghi.
- Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is no longer the shining light he was when he took office. As head of government, he stumbles from crisis to crisis.
- The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is still inexperienced, but in view of the Ukraine war is surprisingly resolute in the western camp.
Legend:
US President Joe Biden will be received by Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder on Saturday evening.
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The G7 are currently not a strong ensemble in terms of personnel. Striking and outdated: For the first time in a long time, no woman is governing a G7 country. It’s become a men’s club.
What can the G7 achieve? If they manage to secure their solidarity after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they have already achieved a lot. However: G7 resolutions are not set in stone and are not legally binding on anyone. Especially not for states that do not even belong to the exclusive club. However, the scientific review of whether the G7 countries are complying with their own agreements shows surprisingly positive results.