Biden Bowl, Anyone? Meloni to Sell World Leaders' Gifts for Good Cause
Passing on unwanted presents can be considered slightly impolite – except if it's done for a noble purpose.
A Philanthropic Clear-Out
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction an estimated 270 gifts given to her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. This unusual assortment could include items such as a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.
The presents, collectively, are worth an estimated €800,000. They are scheduled to be put up for sale in a public auction by a Rome-based auction firm. An exact timeline is yet to be set, although the intention is to conduct the sale by year's end, with all funds raised going to non-profit organizations.
Storage Room Holdings
The presents are currently kept in a storage room on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. Reports indicate that Meloni is also planning to auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused for years.
The full gift list is yet to be made public, but some insight were revealed earlier this year when an 11-page list of items received was presented in parliament. The query centered on whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being respected. According to regulation, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents valued above €300.
A Global Assortment of Gifts
Among the items:
- A silk accessory from the Albanian prime minister, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
- A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister.
- A set of adornments from the Slovakian president.
- A porcelain tea set and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
- A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
- A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
- Artworks from Moldova.
- An assortment including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.
"Perhaps the oddest gifts were the statuette from Milei and the exotic footwear," observers have said.
Diplomatic Backdrop
Meloni has been credited, mostly from within her party, with winning over foreign leaders and re-establishing Italy as a significant player on the world stage once again.
This charitable initiative represents a distinct method to deal with the state presents that build up during a political career.
