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Relinquishing unwanted gifts could be viewed as slightly impolite – unless it's done the right way.

A Charitable Auction

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload around 270 presents received by her by world leaders on official trips. This unusual assortment is said to contain objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gilded heels.

The presents, together, are valued at around €800,000. They are scheduled to be auctioned off via competitive bidding by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date has not been finalized, although the intention is to hold the auction before Christmas, with all funds raised donated to various charities.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

These gifts are currently locked away in a secure area on the third floor of the government headquarters. Reports indicate that Meloni furthermore considering auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust indefinitely.

A complete inventory is yet to be made public, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when an 11-page list of items received was submitted to lawmakers. The discussion centered on whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being respected. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents valued above €300.

An International Array of Gifts

Among the items:

• A silk accessory from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A traditional Kerala dress from the Indian leader.
• A set of adornments from the president of Slovakia.
• A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader.
• A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine.
• Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Various other items including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Perhaps the oddest gifts included the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," one might note.

Political Context

Supporters have applauded Meloni, mainly from her allies, with winning over foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a prominent force on the international platform once again.

The forthcoming sale symbolizes a novel approach to deal with the protocol gifts that build up during a leader's tenure.