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Passing on undesired gifts can be seen as slightly impolite – except if it's done in the proper manner.

A Charitable Clear-Out

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 gifts given to her by world leaders while abroad. This unusual assortment could include gifts including a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

These items, together, are valued at around €800,000. They will be put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Rome-based auction firm. The specific date remains to be announced, although the goal is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the proceeds donated to non-profit organizations.

Storage Room Treasures

These gifts reportedly stored in a storage room on the upper level of the government headquarters. Reports indicate that Meloni furthermore considering auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused indefinitely.

The full gift list remains disclosed, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was reviewed by officials. The discussion centered on if a legal value limit was being followed. By law, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.

A Global Array of Gifts

The collection includes:

• A scarf from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
• A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
• A tablet from the leader of Ukraine.
• Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Various other items including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Possibly the oddest gifts were the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," observers have said.

Political Context

Meloni has been credited, mainly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from global statesmen and re-establishing Italy as a significant player on the international platform once again.

This unique auction highlights a novel approach to deal with the diplomatic artifacts that are collected during a leader's tenure.