🔗 Share this article Milei Statuette, Any Takers? Italy's PM to Auction Off World Leaders' Gifts for Charity Relinquishing undesired presents can be viewed as slightly impolite – except if it's done in the proper manner. A Charitable Clear-Out Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction around 270 presents received by her by international figures during her travels. The eclectic collection is said to contain gifts including a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels. The collection, collectively, are valued at around €800,000. They will be put up for sale in a public auction by a Italian fine art auction house. The specific date remains to be announced, but the goal is to conduct the sale before Christmas, with the revenue donated to non-profit organizations. Storage Room Holdings The items reportedly stored in a storage room on the upper level of the government headquarters. Sources state that Meloni furthermore planning to auction off gifts given to her predecessors that have been stored away for years. The detailed catalog is yet to be disclosed, but partial details emerged earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was reviewed by officials. The discussion focused on whether a statutory cap on gift value was being honored. Legally, a prime minister cannot take home presents exceeding €300. A Global Assortment of Gifts The collection includes: A silk accessory from the leader of Albania, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A traditional Kerala dress from India's prime minister. A case of jewelry from the president of Slovakia. A porcelain tea set 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 Moldova. An assortment including cosmetics, a skateboard, and numerous carpets from trips to Libya and other Arab nations. "Maybe the most unusual gifts were the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," one might note. Diplomatic Context Meloni has been credited, particularly from her own political sphere, with building relationships with international counterparts and making Italy as a significant player on the international platform once again. This unique auction represents a distinct method to deal with the state presents that build up during a leader's tenure.