🔗 Share this article Biden Bowl, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off World Leaders' Gifts for Charity Passing on unneeded offerings could be viewed as a little discourteous – except if it's done in the proper manner. A Philanthropic Auction The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 gifts given to her by international figures while abroad. The eclectic collection could include objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels. The collection, together, are worth an estimated €800,000. The plan is to auctioned off via competitive bidding by a Italian art dealer. A date remains to be announced, although the goal is to hold the auction before Christmas, with the proceeds benefiting various charities. Palazzo Chigi Collection The presents are said to be locked away in a repository on the upper level of the government headquarters. Reports indicate that Meloni furthermore considering auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away over a long period. A complete inventory remains disclosed, but some insight were revealed earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was presented in parliament. The question raised if a statutory cap on gift value was being honored. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents valued above €300. A Global Assortment of Gifts Notable gifts feature: A silk accessory from the leader of Albania, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader. A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president. A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader. A ceramic bowl from the former US president. A tablet from the Ukrainian president. Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government. Additional objects including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries. "Maybe 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, particularly from her allies, with building relationships with foreign leaders and making Italy as a prominent force on the world stage once again. This charitable initiative represents a unconventional way to deal with the protocol gifts that are collected during a political career.