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Passing on undesired gifts could be viewed as slightly impolite – except if it's done for a noble purpose.

A Philanthropic Clear-Out

The Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni, will offload an estimated 270 gifts given to her by world leaders during her travels. The diverse haul is said to contain gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The presents, collectively, are worth an estimated €800,000. They will be put up for sale in a public auction by a Italian art dealer. A date is yet to be set, but the intention is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the revenue benefiting a selection of charitable causes.

Storage Room Treasures

The items reportedly stored in a storage room on the third floor of the government headquarters. Sources state that Meloni is also planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust for years.

The detailed catalog has not yet been officially released, but partial details emerged earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was presented in parliament. The question centered on if a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. By law, a prime minister cannot take home presents exceeding €300.

A Global Assortment of Presents

Among the items:

• A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister.
• A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
• A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Paintings from the Moldovan government.
• An assortment including makeup, a skateboard, and numerous carpets from trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Maybe the strangest gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," observers have said.

Political Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, mainly from her own political sphere, with winning over foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a prominent force on the global scene once again.

This charitable initiative represents a distinct method to handle the protocol gifts that build up during a political career.