Italy has declined participation in U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, a global initiative designed to address conflicts such as Gaza before expanding to other crises. Reports from Corriere della Sera suggest that the Italian government is concerned the board, chaired for life by Trump, would violate the Italian Constitution, which allows Italy to join international organisations only on equal footing with other nations. The initiative has been met with mixed reactions among Western allies, who fear it could undermine the authority of the United Nations and bypass established multilateral frameworks.
Italian Position
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, despite her historically warm relations with Trump, is unlikely to attend the Davos ceremony marking the board’s launch. Membership requires a $1 billion fee for permanent status, further raising questions about legitimacy and fairness. While some countries, such as Hungary and Israel, have accepted invitations without reservations, Italy’s refusal reflects legal, constitutional, and political concerns over ceding influence to a single country-led structure.
Analysis
Italy’s rejection of the board underscores broader European skepticism toward unilateral U.S.-led initiatives that may circumvent multilateral institutions. By linking its decision to constitutional principles, Italy signals a preference for rules-based diplomacy and multilateral decision-making, even when leadership ties with the U.S. are strong. The move highlights the limits of Trump’s ability to rally Western allies around personalised foreign policy projects and demonstrates the tension between national legal frameworks and global ambitions. Strategically, Italy is prioritising legal legitimacy, multilateral norms, and long-term European diplomatic cohesion over short-term alignment with the U.S. president.
With information from Reuters.
