🔗 Share this article Biden Bowl, Any Takers? Italy's PM to Sell World Leaders' Gifts for Good Cause Getting rid of unwanted presents could be considered somewhat rude – unless it's done for a noble purpose. A Charitable Sale The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction an estimated 270 gifts given to her by international figures during her travels. The eclectic collection reportedly features items such as a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels. The collection, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to put up for sale to the highest bidder by a Rome-based fine art auction house. A date is yet to be set, but the intention is to hold the auction before Christmas, with all funds raised donated to non-profit organizations. Storage Room Treasures The presents reportedly stored in a storage room on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. Reports indicate that Meloni additionally intending to auction off gifts given to her political forerunners that have been sitting unused over a long period. A complete inventory is yet to be officially released, but partial details emerged earlier this year when a comprehensive document of items received was submitted to lawmakers. The question raised whether a statutory cap on gift value was being honored. According to regulation, a prime minister must declare presents valued above €300. An International Assortment of Gifts The collection includes: A scarf from the Albanian prime minister, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad. A traditional Kerala dress from the Indian leader. A case of jewelry from the Slovakian president. A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader. A ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader. A tablet from the Ukrainian president. Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government. Various other items including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to Libya and other Arab nations. "Possibly the oddest gifts included the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," one might note. Diplomatic Backdrop Supporters have applauded Meloni, mostly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a key protagonist on the world stage once again. This charitable initiative highlights a unconventional way to deal with the state presents that are collected during a time in office.