Why does Italy not join Axis?

[unmerged(40984)]

I have played a number of games where i have 200 diplomancy with italy Romania hungary turkey bulgaria etc... 9/10 times italy doesn't join the axis. What gives?

Japan always does. So do the others usually. HELP my sanity. Is there an event that triggers italy to join, is my beligerance to high when i ask?

Any thoughts

 

[unmerged(43925)]

I have noticed that for itaily to join the Axis Yugoslavia must be invaded by germany.....Then italy will ask you once you annex....(they get all the costal provinces though).....If that dosent work just type acceptall in console (technically it's cheating but if you monkey around with other alliences it can make for some very interesting gaming!!!)

 

[Schlieffen]

Italy's original AI:

neutrality = 150.000

Source of the problem? Only if you haven't taken either all of mainland Belgium or Paris, in which case it becomes:

neutrality = 95.000

Much more reasonable.

BTW: The AI-switching event doesn't trigger right away, so give them a few days before offering the alliance or you'll just be rejected again.