🔗 Share this article Ceramic Gift, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off World Leaders' Gifts for Good Cause Relinquishing unwanted offerings might be considered slightly impolite – unless it's done the right way. A Philanthropic Sale The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction an estimated 270 presents received by her by international figures while abroad. The diverse haul could include gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels. These items, collectively, have an approximate value of €800,000. They are scheduled to be sold via competitive bidding by a Italian fine art auction house. A date is yet to be set, but the intention is to hold the auction by year's end, with the proceeds donated to non-profit organizations. Palazzo Chigi Collection The presents are currently locked away in a secure area on the upper level of Palazzo Chigi. It has been reported that Meloni is also planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust indefinitely. A complete inventory is yet to be disclosed, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was presented in parliament. The query focused on if a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. Legally, a prime minister must declare presents exceeding €300. An International Array of Presents Notable gifts feature: A scarf from the Albanian prime minister, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister. A case of jewelry from the Slovakian president. A fine china tea service and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader. A pottery dish from the ex-American leader. A digital device from the Ukrainian president. Artworks from Moldova. Additional objects including cosmetics, a board, and numerous carpets from trips to Libya and other Arab nations. "Possibly the oddest gifts were the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," reports suggest. Diplomatic Backdrop Supporters have applauded Meloni, mainly from her allies, with garnering support from international counterparts and making Italy as a significant player on the global scene once again. This charitable initiative symbolizes a novel approach to deal with the protocol gifts that build up during a political career.