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Getting rid of unwanted gifts can be viewed as slightly impolite – except if it's done for a noble purpose.

A Charitable Sale

The Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni, will offload an estimated 270 gifts given to her by foreign dignitaries while abroad. The diverse haul could include items such as a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The presents, combined, are worth an estimated €800,000. They will be put up for sale to the highest bidder by a Rome-based auction firm. A date remains to be announced, but the aim is to conduct the sale by year's end, with the proceeds donated to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Collection

The presents reportedly stored in a repository on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. Sources state that Meloni additionally considering auction off gifts given to her predecessors that have been stored away indefinitely.

The detailed catalog is yet to be disclosed, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when a detailed register of official presents was presented in parliament. The question focused on whether a statutory cap on gift value was being respected. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents exceeding €300.

An International Assortment of Presents

The collection includes:

• A scarf from the leader of Albania, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
• A set of adornments from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and six bottles of wine from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A pottery dish from the former US president.
• A digital device from the leader of Ukraine.
• Watercolour paintings from Moldova.
• Various other items including makeup, a board, and several rugs from trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Maybe the oddest gifts were the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest.

Political Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, particularly from within her party, with building relationships with foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the global scene once again.

This unique auction highlights a distinct method to deal with the state presents that accumulate during a time in office.