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G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: The powerful as guests at Elmau Castle

2022-06-27T11:49:41.664Z


G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: The powerful as guests at Elmau Castle Created: 06/27/2022, 1:39 p.m By: Josef Hornsteiner, Dominik Göttler Group photo before the working lunch: The G7 leaders on the first day of the summit at Schloss Elmau. © KENNY HOLSTON/AFP Solidarity in the Schlosshotel: At the start of the G7 summit, the heads of state swear to the unity of the West towards Russia. The atmosphe


G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: The powerful as guests at Elmau Castle

Created: 06/27/2022, 1:39 p.m

By: Josef Hornsteiner, Dominik Göttler

Group photo before the working lunch: The G7 leaders on the first day of the summit at Schloss Elmau.

© KENNY HOLSTON/AFP

Solidarity in the Schlosshotel: At the start of the G7 summit, the heads of state swear to the unity of the West towards Russia.

The atmosphere is more serious than at the last meeting in Elmau - also because many participants are politically counted themselves.

Elmau

- The summit begins with the view of the mountains.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is standing on the terrace of Schloss Elmau, next to him is US President Joe Biden, with whom he is discussing the key points for the coming days in a personal meeting before the official start of the G7 meeting.

The two look out over the Wetterstein mountains before exchanging a few words under the thunderstorm of photographers' flashbulbs.

"It's beautiful," says Biden, chatting with Scholz about hiking and how he used to ski a lot.

But the small talk ends quickly when the two start talking about the world situation.

Biden praises Scholz' efforts to keep the West united towards Russia.

"We have to stay together," says Biden.

This sets the tone for this summit.

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: swipes against Putin at the first working meeting

For the second time since 2015, world politics is a guest at Schloss Elmau in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

But this time the summit is under different circumstances than seven years ago.

War in Ukraine, energy crisis, growing hunger in the world - and the pressing climate issue is still there.

The G7 countries are struggling to find solutions.

And on the days in the Elmauer Valley, they want to demonstrate the unity of the West towards Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While Russian missiles are flying over Kyiv again for the first time in weeks, there is no time for postcard appointments.

In any case, on the first day of the summit yesterday, there was nothing to indicate that the heads of state would leave the narrow security zone around the conference venue for PR excursions.

Unlike in 2015, when US President Barack Obama dissected a white sausage over half a wheat beer in the midst of traditional costumes and mountain riflemen in Krün.

The pictures of the toasting President went around the world - and were intended to demonstrate the closeness of the US President and his solidarity with the German partner.

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: A strict working atmosphere is suggested

This year, however, a strict working atmosphere is suggested.

Strictly shielded from the public, the heads of state meet in the luxury hotel in the Elmauer valley.

Only selected journalists are driven to the security zone in shuttle convoys from the press center at the foot of Garmisch-Partenkirchen's local mountain at short appointments - sometimes even flown by the German armed forces.

Pictures of the red carpet are coming out of the castle, Scholz greets the heads of state together with his wife Britta Ernst.

Photo in the castle garden, shaking hands, a smile - next guest.

Then later a group photo of the heads of state on a wooden walkway in front of the Alpine panorama.

Scholz swears by the cohesion of the G7.

"We are united by our view of the world, our belief in democracy and the rule of law." While he talks about securing peace in Europe,

a bee buzzes around his microphone.

War issues in the idyll, these are the contrasts these days in the Elmauer valley.

Walk by the stream: Chancellor Scholz and Prime Minister Johnson in conversation.

© Peter Kneffel/dpa

On the fringes of the first working session, some heads of state could not resist a dig at Putin.

Cameras capture British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking whether or not to take off your jackets in view of the high temperatures.

"We have to show that we are tougher than Putin," says Johnson.

Referring to a well-known photo of Putin, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau replied: You have to ride shirtless to do that.

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G7 summit in Elmau: Ski star Neureuther talks about hiking with first ladies - but he is silent about one thing

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: Many locals flee the summit on vacation

Despite all the ridicule, the most important actors at the G7 meeting go into the deliberations weakened – for very different reasons.

US President Joe Biden is under domestic political pressure during his first visit to Germany.

The Republicans won an important victory with the Supreme Court ruling on abortion, while Biden has had to defend himself against allegations of old age and lack of leadership for months.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently suffered a bitter defeat in the parliamentary elections and has to look for majorities at home.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is having a hard time downing Downing Street parties during the Corona lockdown.

And Chancellor Scholz has to face the question of whether his government is doing enough to support Ukraine.

G7 summit 2022 in Elmau: Pictures of the most powerful politicians in the world in front of a spectacular mountain backdrop

View photo gallery

The people of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, however, have other concerns these days.

The police presence in the market town is overwhelming.

Around 18,000 police officers are deployed in the region.

Team buses on every corner, police checkpoints on all access routes, helicopters rattling in the sky all the time.

The political spectacle costs more than 180 million euros in tax money.

Not every local is proud of being the host for world politics.

“Fucking G7, thanks for nothing” – the operator of a sports shop stuck this lettering to his shop window.

Even the mayor of Krün, Thomas Schwarzenberger, who was honored with a thank-you letter from US President Obama after the Weißwurst excursion seven years ago, announced in advance that he really didn't need a third summit.

He advised his community residents in Klais, the small hamlet through which every vehicle that wants to go to the Elmauer Valley has to: take the day off and drive away for a few days.

Group photo with a mountain panorama: The G7 leaders pose for the photographers.

© Thomas Lohnes/dpa/epa

Unlike many of her Klaiser neighbors, Evi Hien has not fled on holiday.

The 56-year-old master hairdresser lives in the "Alten Forstamt", the last house before the fence around the Elmauer valley.

Instead of holidaymakers, she accommodates police officers and paramedics in her three holiday apartments these days.

She takes the restrictions calmly.

"All the police officers are terribly nice." However, on her bike tours, she often has to explain where she actually wants to go.

The answer is so simple: "Home." To where the helicopters are circling.

DOMINIK GOETTLER/ JOSEF HORNSTEINER

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-06-27

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