Ceramic Gift, Any Takers? Italy's PM to Auction Off International Gifts for Charity

Getting rid of unneeded presents could be seen as a little discourteous – except if it's done for a noble purpose.

A Philanthropic Sale

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 items bestowed upon her by international figures during her travels. This unusual assortment is said to contain items such as a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The collection, collectively, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to auctioned off to the highest bidder by a Italian fine art auction house. An exact timeline has not been finalized, but the aim is to hold the auction before Christmas, with the revenue benefiting non-profit organizations.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

The items are said to be kept in a repository on the upper level of the prime minister's official office. It has been reported that Meloni additionally considering auction off gifts received by her political forerunners that have been sitting unused for years.

The full gift list is yet to be disclosed, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when a detailed register of items received was reviewed by officials. The question focused on whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being honored. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents exceeding €300.

An International Array of Presents

Among the items:

• A silk accessory from the leader of Albania, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A sari from Kerala from the Indian leader.
• A set of adornments from the president of Slovakia.
• A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the former US president.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Artworks from the Moldovan government.
• Additional objects including makeup, a skateboard, and numerous carpets from trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Possibly the oddest gifts included the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," observers have said.

Political Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, particularly from her own political sphere, with building relationships with foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a prominent force on the global scene once again.

The forthcoming sale represents a distinct method to handle the state presents that accumulate during a time in office.