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Getting rid of unneeded gifts could be considered slightly impolite – unless it's done the right way.

A Charitable Auction

The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell a reported 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries while abroad. This unusual assortment reportedly features objects like a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.

The presents, combined, are worth an estimated €800,000. The plan is to sold to the highest bidder by a Rome-based auction firm. The specific date is yet to be set, but the goal is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the proceeds going to a selection of charitable causes.

Storage Room Holdings

The items are said to be locked away in a repository on the upper level of Palazzo Chigi. Sources state that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts given to her political forerunners that have been stored away for years.

The full gift list is yet to be officially released, but a glimpse emerged earlier this year when an 11-page list of all declared gifts was submitted to lawmakers. The query focused on whether a statutory cap on gift value was being honored. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents worth more than €300.

A Global Assortment of Presents

Among the items:

• A woven wrap 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 box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A tablet from the Ukrainian president.
• Artworks from the Moldovan government.
• An assortment including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

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

Diplomatic Backdrop

Supporters have applauded Meloni, mostly from within her party, with garnering support from foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a prominent force on the international platform once again.

The forthcoming sale represents a novel approach to handle the diplomatic artifacts that build up during a time in office.