The absence of reference to right to abortion from the draft final document of G7 in Puglia sparked controversy. The minister Francesco Lollobrigida attributed the decision to the presence of Pope francesco.
Abortion outside the G7 for the Pope: Lollobrigida’s words
There removal of the right to abortion since the draft of the final document of the G7 in Puglia has raised several controversies. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida, commented on the decision on the sidelines of an event at Eataly Milano Smeraldo. “Abortion? It is not for me to comment, if the presidents of great nations, heads of state and government have chosen not to include it in the document there will be good reasons not to do so,” she declared.
Responding to criticism, he added: “There is freedom to express oneself, to have clear positions and to make choices that are shared by all, the things that are worked on at a G7 even in comparison with other states are those on which we are agree. I don’t know if at a G7 to which the Pope also participates if it were appropriate, if they chose not to put it there will be a reason and a reason that is more than acceptable.”
Why is abortion being discussed at the G7?
The discussion on the right to abortion at the G7 is a political issue. The choice of remove the term “abortion” from the latest draft of the summit’s final document has been interpreted as one strategicin particular – as Lollobrigida pointed out – given the participation of Pope francesco. The passage that talked about abortion in the preliminary draft was changed to talk generically about “reproductive rights”.
The change has sparked reactions, especially from the United States, with the National Security Advisor, Jack Sullivanwho declared: “Joe Biden is not giving up on rights, he will talk about it with Giorgia Meloni”.
Criticism from the opposition and other countries
Reactions to the removal of the right to abortion from the G7 document have been heated. Italian parliamentarians of Greens-Left Alliance they asked President Meloni for clarification regarding the role of the Italian government in this decision. Furthermore, France and Canada are also pushing to reaffirm the importance of a safe and legal access to abortion.
The criticism fits into a broader context, with France recently including the right to abortion in the Constitution and Joe Biden making it a central theme of his election campaign. Meanwhile, sources at Palazzo Chigi have denied the cancellation of the reference to abortion, stating that negotiations are still ongoing. The question, therefore, remains open and the final formulation of the document will depend on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations between the participating countries.
Photo source: ANSA
