Biden Bowl, Anyone? Meloni to Sell International Gifts for Good Cause
Relinquishing unneeded offerings could be seen as a little discourteous – unless it's done the right way.
A Charitable Auction
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries during her travels. The eclectic collection reportedly features gifts including a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.
The presents, together, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Italian fine art auction house. The specific date has not been finalized, although the intention is to conduct the sale before Christmas, with the revenue benefiting a selection of charitable causes.
Palazzo Chigi Holdings
The presents are said to be locked away in a secure area on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. Reports indicate that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused for years.
The full gift list remains made public, but a glimpse emerged earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was submitted to lawmakers. The discussion focused on if a legal value limit was being followed. By law, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.
A Global Array of Gifts
Among the items:
- A silk accessory from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
- A sari from Kerala 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 pottery dish from the former US president.
- A tablet from the leader of Ukraine.
- Paintings from Moldova.
- Various other items including makeup, a board, and several rugs from trips to Libya and other Arab nations.
"Possibly the oddest gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," one might note.
Diplomatic Context
The prime minister has received praise, particularly from within her party, with winning over international counterparts and positioning Italy as a prominent force on the global scene once again.
This unique auction represents a unconventional way to deal with the state presents that build up during a time in office.
