Meloni, Macron, and the magnificent ‘eye-roll’: Internet's verdict on the viral moment at the G7 summit

‘Tis the duel between Pasta and Prashant.. Err, Croissant!And while we’re yet to figure out who’s one-upping whom, the ‘beef’ is what truly matters!Or at least, the internet thinks so!

Why?A video of an interaction between Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 Summit has gone viral on social media, and for all the right reasons!Read on to know more.

What happened?

As the annual summit of the world's leading economies kicked off in Canada's Kananaskis, the Italian PM and the French President took seats by each other’s side – an unusual feat, given their history of frequent feuding.And then, as the meeting was underway, this happened.

In the viral video, the French Prez Macron was seen covering his face while Meloni, the Italian PM, listened attentively to him and responded with a thumbs-up.

Following this, moments later, Meloni once again leaned towards Macron, and this time she covered her face while listening to Macron.Now, although world leaders generally try to keep a poker face during the proceedings, Meloni could not hide her reaction and appeared to roll her eyes at whatever ‘secret discussion’ she was having with Macron.

Internet’s take:

While Meloni's eye-roll has sparked widespread discussion and speculation, social media users have already delivered their several cents on this viral moment.

One user on Instagram wrote, "Me and my office bestie at work meetings," while another added, "He is asking Yeh melodi itni chocoleti kyun hai!”One X user wrote, “Whatever Macron said had Meloni looking like, 'What the hell is this guy on?” while another commented, “Giorgia Meloni has unconcealed disdain for Emmanuel Macron, which she displays in classic Italian fashion.”While netizens unanimously declared, “Italy's Giorgia Meloni can't hide her contempt for Macron,” one comment stood out, which said, "This is why he gets slapped by his wife."

The ‘tension’ between the duo:

Every beef has a backstory. Meloni and Macron’s one is no different.The tension between Meloni and Macron isn't new. Their strained relationship has been marked by disagreements on various issues, including immigration and economic policies.

When Meloni assumed office as Italy's first female prime minister in October 2022, her rise was met with both anticipation and apprehension across Europe. Her party, Brothers of Italy, with its post-fascist roots, represented a shift towards the far-right in Italian politics.

Meanwhile, for Macron, a centrist leader, this ideological shift posed potential challenges to the established European order.While their first official meeting in Rome was cordial, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of Franco-Italian relations, underlying tensions were evident, particularly concerning migration policies and Italy's approach to European unity.The G7 summit in 2024 further strained relations.A proposal to include a reference to "safe and legal abortion" in the final communiqué was met with resistance from Meloni's government. Macron expressed disappointment over Italy's stance, leading to a public disagreement. On the other hand, Meloni accused Macron of using the summit to advance his political agenda, while Macron criticized the omission as a setback for women's rights.While both leaders have recognized the necessity of cooperation, with Macron meeting Meloni in Paris in June 2023, emphasizing the need for dialogue and collaboration on shared challenges, including migration and support for Ukraine.

Macron highlighted the "unique bond" between Italy and France, highlighting the importance of overcoming differences for the greater good.However, it doesn’t seem like all the water is under the bridge.As both leaders have found themselves locking horns, yet again, this year’s G7 summit has already found its Meloni and Macron moment!Who knows what the future holds for them, but for now, enjoy the memes!