TURKEY’S President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t mince words with Italy’s glamorous prime minister Giorgia Meloni when he told her to quit smoking.
“You look great. But you have to quit smoking,” Erdogan said during the Gaza peace summit in Sharm l Sheikh, Egypt.
The remark immediately sparked laughter from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who ere standing nearby.
Meloni, 48, snapped back instantly.
“I know, I know,” she replied with a grin. “I don’t want to kill someone.”
French President Emmanuel Macron chimed in on the exchange responding with “it’s impossible” when Erdogan urged Meloni to stop smoking.
The exchange revealed a surprisingly candid side of Italy’s populist leader.
Meloni, who became Italy’s first female prime minister in October 2022, was overheard joking about her lifelong love of cigarettes.
She admitted she could never truly quit the habit, despite attempts over the years.
Her smoking history is well-documented.
In a recent book, Meloni revealed she had kicked the habit 13 years ago -only to start again.
She also suggested cigarettes had helped her bond with other world leaders, including Tunisian President Kais Saied.
The lighthearted moment came amid a summit focused on serious global issues, including the conflict in Gaza.
Erdogan, known for his strong anti-smoking stance, seemed determined to challenge Meloni.
But the Italian leader’s response showed she wasn’t intimidated.
Even Macron joined the banter.
“It’s impossible,” he said during the meeting.
Meloni’s quip about “not wanting to kill someone” stole the spotlight from the high-stakes diplomacy around her.
It wasn’t just world leaders laughing at her honesty.
Former US President Donald Trump also commented, praising her looks.
“I’m not normally allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say it. She’s a beautiful young woman!” Trump joked, pointing to Meloni, who was standing behind him.
“Now if you use the word beautiful in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career, but I’ll take my chances!” he added.
“Where is she? There she is. You don’t mind being called beautiful, right? Because you are,” Trump told Meloni.
He also highlighted her political achievements.
“She wanted to be here and she’s incredible and they really respect her in Italy. She’s a very successful, very successful politician,” he said.
Meloni’s connection with Trump isn’t just about compliments.
She has acted as his mediator in negotiations between the EU and the US on key issues, including the war in Ukraine.
Despite her jokes about cigarettes, Meloni is a serious political figure.
Her humour gave the summit a lighter, human touch, showing a side of her rarely seen in official settings.
The Italian PM’s charm and wit appear to leave a lasting impression on world leaders.
Even in a room full of heavyweights, Meloni’s cigarette confession and quick humour stood out.
Her openness about smoking and personal quirks made her relatable, despite her high-profile position.
While she joked about “killing someone” if forced to quit, Meloni clearly has no intention of giving up her signature habit.
The summit, held at the luxurious Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, was packed with intense negotiations – yet Meloni’s moment of levity made headlines worldwide.
For Meloni, being Italy’s first female prime minister isn’t just about politics.
It’s about commanding respect, turning heads, and staying unapologetically herself – cigarettes and all.
Her mix of glamour, humor, and political savvy continues to make her a fascinating figure on the global stage.
And while Erdogan might hope she quits, it seems Meloni isn’t ready to put out her cigarette anytime soon.
