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Passing on undesired gifts could be seen as somewhat rude – except if it's done for a noble purpose.

A Charitable Clear-Out

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

These items, collectively, are valued at around €800,000. They will be sold in a public auction by a Italian fine art auction house. A date has not been finalized, although the aim is to hold the auction by year's end, with the revenue benefiting a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Collection

The presents are currently kept in a repository on the upper level of the prime minister's official office. Reports indicate that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts given to her predecessors that have been gathering dust indefinitely.

The detailed catalog remains disclosed, but some insight were revealed earlier this year when an 11-page list of all declared gifts was submitted to lawmakers. The query raised whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. According to regulation, a prime minister must declare presents valued above €300.

A Global Assortment of Presents

The collection includes:

• A silk accessory from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from India's prime minister.
• A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
• A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Watercolour paintings from Moldova.
• An assortment including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Perhaps the most unusual gifts included the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," observers have said.

Political Backdrop

Meloni has been credited, mostly from her allies, with winning over foreign leaders and making Italy as a prominent force on the international platform once again.

This charitable initiative symbolizes a novel approach to handle the diplomatic artifacts that accumulate during a time in office.