🔗 Share this article Milei Statuette, Any Takers? Meloni to Sell World Leaders' Gifts for Charity Relinquishing undesired offerings can be seen as a little discourteous – except if it's done for a noble purpose. A Charitable Clear-Out Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell around 270 gifts given to her by foreign dignitaries while abroad. The diverse haul is said to contain objects like a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gilded heels. The presents, combined, are valued at around €800,000. They will be put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Italian art dealer. The specific date is yet to be set, although the aim is to hold the auction by year's end, with all funds raised benefiting a selection of charitable causes. Storage Room Holdings These gifts are currently kept in a secure area on the third floor of the government headquarters. It has been reported that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused indefinitely. The detailed catalog is yet to be disclosed, but some insight was gleaned earlier this year when an 11-page list of items received was presented in parliament. The discussion raised whether a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents exceeding €300. An International Assortment of Gifts The collection includes: A woven wrap from the Albanian prime minister, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister. A case of jewelry from the president of Slovakia. A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister. A pottery dish from the former US president. A electronic pad from the leader of Ukraine. Artworks from Moldova. Additional objects including makeup, a board, and numerous carpets received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations. "Perhaps the most unusual gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," observers have said. Diplomatic Context The prime minister has received praise, mostly from within her party, with garnering support from international counterparts and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the world stage once again. The forthcoming sale highlights a distinct method to manage the diplomatic artifacts that are collected during a leader's tenure.