The G7 is the “steering committee of the free world”, according to Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser. If so, the free world has a problem. The majority of G7 governments are now so burdened with domestic political problems that they are incapable of steering their own countries — let alone the free world.
Consider the political situations in France, Germany, Canada, Japan and South Korea (the latter is not formally a member of the G7, but routinely attends the summits). In France, the government recently fell after it was unable to pass a budget. A new prime minister is in place but will face the same problems. There is much speculation that Emmanuel Macron will resign as president before the scheduled end of his term in 2027.
Germany is heading for elections after the collapse of the “traffic-light” coalition led by Olaf Scholz. Recent elections in Japan saw the ruling Liberal Democratic party lose its majority for the first time since 2009 — with another poll likely next year. In Canada, Justin Trudeau’s near decade in power is coming to an undignified end. With his party way behind in the polls, the prime minister is under intense pressure to resign.