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Relinquishing unwanted gifts can be seen as slightly impolite – except if it's done the right way.

A Philanthropic Sale

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 presents received by her by international figures during her travels. The diverse haul could include gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

The presents, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to put up for sale in a public auction by a Rome-based auction firm. A date is yet to be set, although the intention is to hold the auction during the holiday season, with all funds raised going to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

These gifts are said to be locked away in a repository on the upper level of Palazzo Chigi. Sources state that Meloni furthermore intending to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away over a long period.

The full gift list has not yet been disclosed, but some insight were revealed earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was presented in parliament. The discussion raised whether a legal value limit was being followed. According to regulation, a prime minister must declare presents valued above €300.

An International Assortment of Gifts

The collection includes:

• A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister.
• A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A tablet from the leader of Ukraine.
• Paintings from Moldova.
• Various other items including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

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

Political Context

The prime minister has received praise, particularly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from global statesmen and making Italy as a prominent force on the global scene once again.

This charitable initiative represents a distinct method to handle the protocol gifts that accumulate during a political career.