Ceramic Gift, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off World Leaders' Gifts for Charity

Getting rid of unneeded presents might be seen as a little discourteous – except if it's done the right way.

A Charitable Clear-Out

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell around 270 gifts given to her by international figures while abroad. This unusual assortment could include objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

These items, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to sold in a public auction by a Italian art dealer. The specific date remains to be announced, but the goal is to hold the auction by year's end, with the revenue going to various charities.

Storage Room Treasures

The presents are currently locked away in a secure area on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. Sources state that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused over a long period.

A complete inventory has not yet been officially released, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was submitted to lawmakers. The question centered on if a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. Legally, a prime minister cannot take home presents worth more than €300.

A Global Array of Gifts

Among the items:

• A silk accessory from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from India's prime minister.
• A case of jewelry from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
• A tablet from the Ukrainian president.
• Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
• An assortment including makeup, a board, and numerous carpets received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Perhaps the most unusual gifts included the statuette from Milei and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest.

Diplomatic Backdrop

The prime minister has received praise, mostly from her allies, with winning over foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a significant player on the global scene once again.

This charitable initiative highlights a distinct method to handle the state presents that build up during a political career.