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Relinquishing unwanted presents can be seen as somewhat rude – except if it's done the right way.

A Charitable Auction

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload around 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. This unusual assortment could include objects like a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.

These items, collectively, are worth an estimated €800,000. They will be sold in a public auction by a Rome-based art dealer. A date has not been finalized, but the aim is to hold the auction during the holiday season, with all funds raised benefiting various charities.

Storage Room Treasures

The presents are said to be stored in a repository on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. Reports indicate that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away indefinitely.

The full gift list has not yet been officially released, but partial details were revealed earlier this year when a comprehensive document of all declared gifts was presented in parliament. The query raised whether a statutory cap on gift value was being respected. Legally, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents exceeding €300.

An International Assortment of Gifts

Notable gifts feature:

• A woven wrap from the Albanian prime minister, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
• A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
• A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the former US president.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Additional objects including cosmetics, a skateboard, and numerous carpets received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Perhaps the most unusual gifts included the statuette from Milei and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest.

Political Context

Supporters have applauded Meloni, particularly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a prominent force on the world stage once again.

The forthcoming sale represents a distinct method to manage the protocol gifts that accumulate during a political career.