Body politics at the G20 summit

The Guardian takes a lighthearted look at the body language of the world leaders at the G20 summit to see whether it can tell us more about their true feelings than diplomacy allows them to say

  • From Russia with love: Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, glances at his press secretary Natalya Timakova, in a manner more usually associated with Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, as he arrives at the G20 Summit in Cannes
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Four's a crowd: US president Barack Obama leans towards his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy. Chancellor Angela Merkel can just be seen with her hand on Sarkozy's shoulder, completing a tight triangle between the three. While David Cameron is making eye contact and sharing a joke with Sarkozy, the British PM holds his body back as he leans in, suggesting a certain distance
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Red carpets, glamorous cars, a wave to the waiting cameras: someone may need to let Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the Argentine president, know that she's not in Cannes for the film festival
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Talk to the hand: Obama reaches down to pat Sarkozy's arm, but his gaze shows he's already distracted by something more important ahead
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Can he hear us? Berlusconi smiles confidently for the cameras, although his crossed arms suggest he may not be all that comfortable. Behind him Merkel and Cameron appear far less sure of themselves
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Sisters stick together: Merkel, the only female leader in the G8, seems genuinely pleased to see Dilma Rousseff, who this year became the first female president of G20-member Brazil
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • High and mighty: Cameron passes with head held up and receives some unimpressed looks from Medvedev, left, and his aides
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Flower power: Obama takes a closer look at Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper's commemorative poppy
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • What would Carla say if I stood there? Kirchner keeps her distance and holds her hands out as she talks to Sarkozy, watched by Medvedev to her left. On the back row, from left, are European president Herman van Rompuy, Australia's prime minister Julia Gillard, Berlusconi and Merkel
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Make some room for me: José Luís Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, grabs Cameron's arm and his and Merkel's attention as the leaders gather for the traditional group photo
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Hand in hand: South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak and South African President Jacob Zuma share a chuckle before the group photo
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Italian leerer: Berlusconi adjusts his tie as he admires an unwitting Kirchner during the group photo shoot
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • I have to meet non-G20 leaders too? Sarkozy give a rather lacklustre handshake to Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema at the summit's welcoming ceremony, as French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé looks on
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • How big did you say the debt was? Sarkozy, Merkel, Obama and Cameron compare notes prior to a round-table meeting at the G20 summit
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Wait till the folks back in Australia hear about this: Gillard seems delighted to be up close and personal with Obama
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • It's what everyone does with bills: Sarkozy tears up some papers as he waits for the start of talks at the summit
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Careful whisper: Merkel strains intently to hear as Obama leans in to mutter something out of earshot of the press
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Entente comicale: Cameron and Sarkozy share a good laugh
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • What would I do without her? Sarkozy fixes Merkel with an admiring gaze as she answers questions
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit

  • Touch and go: Sarkozy grasps Obama's hand as he stands poised to move away
    G20 body language: Body politics at the G20 summit
Topics