Italy declines to join Trump's Peace Council due to constitutional constraints

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday that Italy will not join the "Peace Council," an international organization created by U.S. President Donald Trump to address global conflicts and promote international stability.

Tajani told news agency ANSA that Italy's refusal stems from Article 11 of the Italian Constitution, which stipulates that Italy may only join international organizations under conditions of equality with other states. According to Tajani's interpretation, Trump's veto power and role as the organization's final authority would prevent such equality from being met.

The Peace Council was initially conceived to oversee a ceasefire in Gaza and the reconstruction of Palestinian territory, but has since evolved into a broader mechanism for resolving conflicts worldwide.

Despite the legal obstacles, Tajani assured ANSA that Italy remains "available to discuss peace initiatives." He stated: "We cannot participate in the Peace Council because there is a constitutional limit. We continue willing to debate initiatives related to peace. We are ready to give our contribution in Gaza and also in the formation of the police."

Tajani made the remarks following a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He characterized the constitutional impediment as "an insurmountable obstacle from a legal point of view."

Italy, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has indicated its willingness to contribute to peace efforts through other channels, including potential involvement in Gaza reconstruction and police formation initiatives.