🔗 Share this article

Relinquishing unneeded gifts might be considered slightly impolite – except if it's done in the proper manner.

A Philanthropic Sale

The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, will offload an estimated 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries during her travels. The diverse haul is said to contain items such as a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

The presents, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. They will be put up for sale to the highest bidder by a Rome-based fine art auction house. The specific date remains to be announced, but the intention is to hold the auction by year's end, with the revenue going to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Collection

The presents are said to be stored in a storage room on the upper level of the prime minister's official office. It has been reported that Meloni additionally intending to auction off gifts received by her predecessors that have been sitting unused for years.

The detailed catalog has not yet been officially released, but some insight was gleaned earlier this year when an 11-page list of items received was reviewed by officials. The question centered on whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. Legally, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.

An International Assortment of Gifts

Notable gifts feature:

• A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A traditional Kerala dress from the Indian leader.
• A set of adornments from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Various other items including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Possibly the oddest gifts included the statuette from Milei and the blue python skin shoes," observers have said.

Diplomatic Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, particularly from her own political sphere, with building relationships with international counterparts and positioning Italy as a prominent force on the global scene once again.

The forthcoming sale represents a novel approach to handle the protocol gifts that accumulate during a political career.