🔗 Share this article Biden Bowl, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off International Gifts for Charity Passing on unwanted gifts might be viewed as a little discourteous – except if it's done for a noble purpose. A Philanthropic Clear-Out Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell an estimated 270 gifts given to her by world leaders on official trips. The diverse haul is said to contain gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gilded heels. The collection, together, are worth an estimated €800,000. They will be sold to the highest bidder by a Italian auction firm. A date is yet to be set, but the aim is to conduct the sale before Christmas, with the proceeds benefiting various charities. Storage Room Treasures The presents reportedly kept in a storage room on the upper level of Palazzo Chigi. Sources state that Meloni furthermore planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been gathering dust over a long period. A complete inventory has not yet been disclosed, but partial details emerged earlier this year when a detailed register of items received was presented in parliament. The question centered on if a legal value limit was being respected. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents valued above €300. A Global Array of Gifts Notable gifts feature: A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader. A set of adornments from the Slovakian president. A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader. A pottery dish from the ex-American leader. A digital device from the leader of Ukraine. Artworks from the Moldovan government. Additional objects including cosmetics, a skateboard, and numerous carpets received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries. "Maybe the most unusual gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest. Political Context Supporters have applauded Meloni, particularly from her allies, with winning over international counterparts and positioning Italy as a prominent force on the international platform once again. This unique auction represents a unconventional way to deal with the protocol gifts that accumulate during a leader's tenure.