Biden Bowl, Anyone? Italy's PM to Auction Off World Leaders' Gifts for Good Cause
Getting rid of unneeded offerings could be seen as somewhat rude – unless it's done the right way.
A Philanthropic Auction
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction a reported 270 gifts given to her by world leaders on official trips. The diverse haul could include objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.
The collection, together, are valued at around €800,000. The plan is to auctioned off in a public auction by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date has not been finalized, but the aim is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with the revenue benefiting non-profit organizations.
Storage Room Holdings
The presents are currently kept in a secure area on the third floor of the government headquarters. Sources state that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts received by her preceding prime ministers that have been stored away for years.
A complete inventory is yet to be officially released, but some insight was gleaned earlier this year when an 11-page list of all declared gifts was reviewed by officials. The query raised whether a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. Legally, a prime minister is not permitted to keep presents worth more than €300.
An International Array of Presents
Among the items:
- A woven wrap from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
- A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister.
- A box of jewellery from the Slovakian president.
- A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
- A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
- A tablet from the leader of Ukraine.
- Watercolour paintings from the Moldovan government.
- An assortment including cosmetics, a skateboard, and several rugs from trips to Libya and other Arab nations.
"Perhaps the oddest gifts included the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," reports suggest.
Political Backdrop
Meloni has been credited, mainly from her allies, with building relationships with international counterparts and positioning Italy as a key protagonist on the global scene once again.
The forthcoming sale symbolizes a unconventional way to handle the diplomatic artifacts that accumulate during a time in office.