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Getting rid of undesired gifts could be viewed as a little discourteous – unless it's done the right way.

A Philanthropic Clear-Out

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction an estimated 270 gifts given to her by world leaders while abroad. The diverse haul 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 presents, together, are worth an estimated €800,000. They will be sold in a public auction by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date is yet to be set, although the goal is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the revenue going to various charities.

Storage Room Treasures

The presents reportedly kept in a storage room on the upper level of the prime minister's official office. Sources state that Meloni is also intending to auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away for years.

The full gift list remains disclosed, but partial details was gleaned earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was reviewed by officials. The question raised whether a legal value limit was being followed. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents valued above €300.

An International Array of Gifts

Among the items:

• A silk accessory from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A sari from Kerala from the Indian leader.
• A set of adornments from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Watercolour paintings from Moldova.
• Various other items 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," one might note.

Political Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, mostly from her allies, with garnering support from international counterparts and re-establishing Italy as a prominent force on the world stage once again.

The forthcoming sale symbolizes a novel approach to handle the diplomatic artifacts that are collected during a leader's tenure.