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Relinquishing undesired gifts might be considered somewhat rude – unless it's done in the proper manner.

A Charitable Clear-Out

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell around 270 items bestowed upon her by world leaders while abroad. The eclectic collection reportedly features items such as a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

The presents, collectively, have an approximate value of €800,000. They will be auctioned off in a public auction by a Italian auction firm. The specific date has not been finalized, although the intention is to conduct the sale by year's end, with the proceeds going to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

The presents reportedly locked away in a repository on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. It has been reported that Meloni is also planning to auction off gifts received by her predecessors that have been stored away for years.

The detailed catalog has not yet been made public, but some insight were revealed earlier this year when a comprehensive document of items received was submitted to lawmakers. The discussion raised if a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. By law, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.

A Global Array of Presents

The collection includes:

• A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from India's prime minister.
• A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
• A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine.
• Artworks from Moldova.
• Additional objects including makeup, a board, and numerous carpets received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Perhaps the strangest gifts were the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," observers have said.

Diplomatic Context

Meloni has been credited, mainly from her own political sphere, with winning over international counterparts and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the international platform once again.

The forthcoming sale symbolizes a distinct method to manage the state presents that are collected during a political career.