🔗 Share this article Milei Statuette, Anyone? Meloni to Sell World Leaders' Gifts for Good Cause Getting rid of unwanted offerings could be viewed as a little discourteous – except if it's done the right way. A Philanthropic Sale The Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell an estimated 270 items bestowed upon her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. The diverse haul is said to contain gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels. These items, collectively, have an approximate value of €800,000. They are scheduled to be put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date remains to be announced, but the goal is to hold the auction by year's end, with the proceeds going to non-profit organizations. Storage Room Treasures The presents are said to be locked away in a secure area on the third floor of the government headquarters. Sources state that Meloni furthermore considering auction off gifts received by her predecessors that have been sitting unused for years. The full gift list has not yet been officially released, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when an 11-page list of all declared gifts was reviewed by officials. The discussion raised if a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. Legally, a prime minister must declare presents valued above €300. An International Array of Presents 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 the Indian leader. A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia. A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister. A pottery dish from the ex-American leader. A digital device from the Ukrainian president. Paintings from Moldova. Various other items including makeup, a board, and several rugs from 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 Meloni has been credited, mainly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a key protagonist on the international platform once again. This charitable initiative symbolizes a novel approach to deal with the diplomatic artifacts that build up during a time in office.