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Relinquishing unwanted presents might be viewed as slightly impolite – except if it's done the right way.

A Charitable Clear-Out

The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell an estimated 270 items bestowed upon her by world leaders on official trips. The eclectic collection reportedly features 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, together, have an approximate value of €800,000. They are scheduled to be auctioned off via competitive bidding by a Italian art dealer. An exact timeline remains to be announced, but the goal is to conduct the sale by year's end, with the revenue going to non-profit organizations.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

The presents reportedly kept in a secure area on the upper level of the government headquarters. Reports indicate that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust indefinitely.

The full gift list has not yet been officially released, but some insight emerged earlier this year when a detailed register of official presents was reviewed by officials. The discussion raised whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. By law, a prime minister cannot take home presents worth more than €300.

A Global Array of Gifts

Among the items:

• A woven wrap from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A traditional Kerala dress from India's prime minister.
• A case of jewelry from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine.
• Paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Various other items including cosmetics, a board, and numerous carpets from trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Maybe the oddest gifts included the statuette from Milei and the blue python skin shoes," observers have said.

Diplomatic Backdrop

Meloni has been credited, mostly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from international counterparts and positioning Italy as a significant player on the world stage once again.

This charitable initiative represents a distinct method to deal with the protocol gifts that are collected during a political career.