🔗 Share this article Milei Statuette, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off International Gifts for Charity Getting rid of unneeded presents could be viewed as a little discourteous – except if it's done in the proper manner. A Charitable Clear-Out The Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. The diverse haul could include gifts including a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels. The presents, together, have an approximate value of €800,000. They will be put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Italian fine art auction house. The specific date remains to be announced, although the intention is to hold the auction by year's end, with the proceeds donated to various charities. Palazzo Chigi Treasures The presents reportedly kept in a secure area on the upper level of the prime minister's official office. Sources state that Meloni furthermore considering auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away indefinitely. The detailed catalog remains disclosed, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when a comprehensive document of all declared gifts was submitted to lawmakers. The discussion focused on if a rule restricting expensive presents was being honored. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents valued above €300. An International Array of Presents Notable gifts feature: A woven wrap from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A traditional Kerala dress 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 ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader. A tablet from the leader of Ukraine. Paintings from Moldova. Additional objects including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations. "Perhaps the strangest gifts included the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," reports suggest. Political Context The prime minister has received praise, mostly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the world stage once again. This charitable initiative highlights a unconventional way to manage the state presents that are collected during a leader's tenure.