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Getting rid of unneeded gifts could be seen as slightly impolite – except if it's done in the proper manner.

A Charitable Sale

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell around 270 items bestowed upon her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. The diverse haul could include gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The collection, together, have an approximate value of €800,000. They will be put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date is yet to be set, but the aim is to conduct the sale before Christmas, with the proceeds benefiting various charities.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

The items are said to be locked away in a secure area on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. Sources state that Meloni furthermore planning to auction off gifts received by her political forerunners that have been sitting unused for years.

The full gift list has not yet been disclosed, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when a detailed register of official presents was reviewed by officials. The discussion focused on whether a legal value limit was being honored. By law, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.

An International Assortment of Gifts

Among the items:

• A silk accessory from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
• A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine.
• Watercolour paintings from Moldova.
• An assortment including cosmetics, a board, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Maybe the strangest gifts were the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," reports suggest.

Diplomatic Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, mainly from within her party, with building relationships with foreign leaders and making Italy as a prominent force on the world stage once again.

This charitable initiative highlights a distinct method to deal with the diplomatic artifacts that accumulate during a political career.