Sparks in the House

Board of Peace, green light for majority resolution: "Italia an observer country". Parolin: perplexity

A choice, added Vice-Premier Tajani, "certainly a balanced solution that respects our constitutional constraints"

by Rome Editorial Staff

17 February 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Italia cannot miss the Board of Peace organised for Gaza. And it will participate in the role of 'observer country'. This is the message sent by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during his speech in Montecitorio.

It was a tense afternoon in the House, with the back-and-forth between Tajani and the oppositions, which led to the approval of the majority resolution on communications with 183 yes and 122 against.

Two reasons to be present

Italy's absence at a table where peace in the Mediterranean is discussed - Tajani began - "would not only be politically incomprehensible, but also contrary to the letter and spirit of Article 11 of our Constitution itself, where it sanctions the repudiation of war as a means of resolving disputes".

Not only that. He added that absence 'would mean reneging on the leading role that our country has played for the ceasefire since the beginning of the crisis, always with the aim of achieving two states living together in peace and security'.

The role of Italia

And so we come to the point, namely in what role the country will find itself during the Board organised by Donald Trump. The government, the vice-premier clarified, "has seen fit to accept the US administration's invitation to attend, as an observer country. A choice, he added, 'certainly a balanced solution that respects our constitutional constraints'.

Sparks with oppositions

During the minister's reply, then after the communications on the Board of Peace in Gaza, the back-and-forth started. Protests started from the opposition benches, particularly when the deputy prime minister pointed out that he had heard no proposals from minorities but only criticism of Trump. From the centre-left came the accusation of having subjugated the country to US President Trump and Tajani responded by accusing: 'We don't wag our tails behind Merkel and we don't wag our tails behind Blair'. Protests and interruptions came from, among others, Davide Faraone of Italia viva, Laura Boldrini of the PD and M5s MPs. Finally, to those who asked him for 'seriousness', Tajani replied: 'Seriousness and democracy is letting others speak'.

At the end of Tajani's reply, two resolutions were tabled. The minister then gave an opinion in favour of the document presented by the majority groups and an opinion against the one signed by all oppositions, including the Action group.

Schlein on government: 'Italia Trump's Trojan Horse'

"Tajani said he does not understand what there is to rant about," said Dem secretary Elly Schlein, "you are trying to circumvent a constitutional ban by playing on words," talking about the role of observer. "You decide whether Italia agrees to participate in the dismantling of international law to replace it with the law of the strongest. The Board of Peace wants to replace the rules decided together with the relations of force. Fortunately there is the Italian Constitution, it is not a nuisance but an embankment'.

'Minister Tajani,' he then added, 'explain to us why you are the only ones participating as observers. The alternative was to say no and keep your back straight, as the others did, who do not want peace any less than we do'. "Giorgia Meloni can't say no to Trump, she wanted to be a bridge-builder and the mediator turned out to be a spectator. The concern is not to do national interests but not to displease Trump." Italy has become "a trojan horse of Trump" and accepts "the privatisation of international relations, a proprietary conception of world balances, unacceptable for republican Italia".

The Board of Peace

The Board of Peace is part of the 20-point plan that the Trump administration proposed in October to end the conflict in Gaza and its existence was enshrined in a UN resolution. Member states are invited by the tycoon: those who pay $1 billion immediately - so far only the US and the Emirates have promised this - will have a permanent seat. The others will only be able to stay for three years and their renewal will be at Trump's discretion.

Parolin: critical issues that should be resolved

"The Vatican will not participate in the Board of Peace for Gaza. Then we took note that Italia will participate as an observer, evidently there are points that leave us perplexed, critical points that would need to be explained. The important thing is that an attempt is being made to give an answer but for us there are critical points that should be resolved'. This was said by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as he left Palazzo Borromeo after the bilateral with Italia with the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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