Biden Bowl, Any Takers? Meloni to Auction Off International Gifts for Good Cause

Relinquishing unwanted gifts can be considered slightly impolite – except if it's done in the proper manner.

A Charitable Sale

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, plans to auction a reported 270 gifts given to her by world leaders during her travels. The diverse haul reportedly features objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The presents, combined, have an approximate value of €800,000. The plan is to sold via competitive bidding by a Rome-based art dealer. The specific date remains to be announced, but the intention is to conduct the sale during the holiday season, with all funds raised benefiting a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Collection

The presents reportedly locked away in a secure area on the upper level of the government headquarters. It has been reported that Meloni is also considering auction off gifts received by her predecessors that have been sitting unused for years.

The full gift list has not yet been made public, but a glimpse emerged earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was presented in parliament. The question focused on if a rule restricting expensive presents was being respected. Legally, a prime minister must declare presents exceeding €300.

An International Array of Presents

Notable gifts feature:

• A scarf from the leader of Albania, allegedly given to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A customary Indian garment from the Indian leader.
• A case of jewelry from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from the Hungarian prime minister.
• A pottery dish from the former US president.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Paintings from Moldova.
• An assortment including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Maybe the oddest gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," one might note.

Diplomatic Backdrop

Meloni has been credited, mostly from her own political sphere, with garnering support from foreign leaders and making Italy as a prominent force on the world stage once again.

The forthcoming sale symbolizes a unconventional way to manage the protocol gifts that accumulate during a political career.