Ceramic Gift, Any Takers? Meloni to Sell International Gifts for Good Cause
Passing on unwanted offerings could be considered slightly impolite – unless it's done in the proper manner.
A Philanthropic Sale
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction an estimated 270 gifts given to her by international figures during her travels. This unusual assortment reportedly features items such as a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.
These items, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to sold to the highest bidder by a Rome-based auction firm. A date is yet to be set, although the aim is to conduct the sale by year's end, with the proceeds benefiting a selection of charitable causes.
Storage Room Holdings
The items are said to be kept in a storage room on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. Reports indicate that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away indefinitely.
A complete inventory has not yet been disclosed, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when a comprehensive document of all declared gifts was reviewed by officials. The discussion raised whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being respected. By law, a prime minister cannot take home presents exceeding €300.
An International Assortment of Presents
Among the items:
- A scarf from the Albanian prime minister, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
- A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
- A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
- A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from the Hungarian prime minister.
- A ceramic bowl from the ex-American leader.
- A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
- Paintings from Moldova.
- Various other items including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to Libya and other Arab nations.
"Maybe the most unusual gifts were the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," observers have said.
Political Context
Meloni has been credited, particularly from within her party, with building relationships with foreign leaders and making Italy as a key protagonist on the world stage once again.
The forthcoming sale highlights a unconventional way to deal with the protocol gifts that accumulate during a time in office.
