Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit boasted that she had overcome a bad habit
Erdogan wanted to make her do it, and Macron said it was impossible.
Giorgia Meloni. Photo: Christian Hartmann / Pool Photo via AP
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni admitted to her colleagues during informal talks at the G7 summit in France that she had completely given up cigarettes a month ago.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has quit smoking — and shared the news with fellow G7 leaders over coffee.
European Council President Antonio Costa had his own milestone to offer: he gave up 21 years ago. pic.twitter.com/NcJmQ7qvP0
A curious moment, captured on video, was published by Euronews. During a break, Meloni audibly mused about a cup of coffee. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz decided to joke and asked if she also wanted to light up a cigarette with her coffee.
"No, I quit!" — the Italian leader replied with a smile.
This statement drew applause from those present. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exclaimed "Bravo!" with delight.
The conversation about a healthy lifestyle was picked up by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He asked European Council President António Costa when he last held a cigarette. "I quit in 2005… Never went back to it. A full 21 years ago."
Erdogan insisted, but Macron didn't believe
Meloni's bad habit is not the first time it has become a topic of discussion at the highest level.
Last October, at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan complimented Meloni during their greeting, but immediately added: "I must somehow make you quit smoking."
NEW: #Turkiye's President Erdoğan tells #Italy's Meloni she's looking well but should give up smoking, calls UK's Starmer a 'good man'
During 4-way meeting also involving France's Macron at Egypt's Gaza Summit. President's anti-smoking stance is well known in Turkeye. pic.twitter.com/YJ7kz9ncwQ
Meloni then awkwardly replied: "I know, I know."
French President Emmanuel Macron, present during that conversation, then smiled and stated that forcing Giorgia to quit was "simply impossible." And he was wrong.
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