Politics: The G-7 is meeting for the first time in a year, and more than half the participants are new

Four of the seven participating countries — the US, the UK, France, and Italy — are under new leadership.

The 2017 G-7 summit is happening in Italy on Friday, and it will include a largely different group from the one that gathered last year.

Four of the seven participating countries — the US, the UK, France, and Italy — are under new leadership.

Perhaps the most dramatic new face is US President Donald Trump. He may find himself thriving in this environment, according to John Kirton, the director of the G7 Research Group at the University of Toronto.

"It is a forum made for Donald Trump's particular style," Kirton told the Associated Press. "It is highly informal, highly interactive, and they speak in very colloquial language to each other. It is the ultimate lonely hearts club. No one understands how tough it is to have the top job except the peers with the top job in other countries."

Trump may see some pushback from the other heads of state, however, for his contrarian views on climate change and free trade.

Meet the G-7 leaders below >>

Newly elected US President Donald Trump may find himself as the center of attention.

Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, enjoyed good relationships with many of his G-7 counterparts.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is also attending her first G-7.

May took the helm of the UK after David Cameron resigned following the June 2016 Brexit vote.

Emmanuel Macron is the newest leader, having won the French presidency earlier this month.

Macron replaced Francois Hollande, who declined to seek reelection.

Paolo Gentiloni, Italy's prime minister, fills out the new faces and is this year's host for the summit.

His predecessor, Matteo Renzi, resigned in December following the rejection of his constitutional-reform referendum.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is attending his second G-7, making him one of the old guard.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, increasingly seen as one of the defenders of Western democracy, faces an election of her own in Germany this year.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will also be at meeting, the only Asian head of state.

The two most powerful leaders of the European Union — Donald Tusk and Jean-Claude Juncker — will also be in attendance.

Four of the seven participating countries — the US, the UK, France, and Italy — are under new leadership. Read Full Story