Milei Statuette, Any Takers? Meloni to Sell International Gifts for Good Cause
Getting rid of unwanted gifts could be viewed as a little discourteous – unless it's done for a noble purpose.
A Philanthropic Auction
The Italian premier, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 items bestowed upon her by international figures during her travels. The diverse haul could include objects like a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gold heels.
The collection, combined, are valued at around €800,000. The plan is to put up for sale via competitive bidding by a Rome-based auction firm. The specific date is yet to be set, although the intention is to conduct the sale before Christmas, with the proceeds benefiting non-profit organizations.
Palazzo Chigi Collection
The items are currently stored in a repository on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. Reports indicate that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts given to her predecessors that have been sitting unused over a long period.
The detailed catalog is yet to be made public, but a glimpse was gleaned earlier this year when a detailed register of all declared gifts was presented in parliament. The discussion raised if a statutory cap on gift value was being followed. Legally, a prime minister must declare presents worth more than €300.
An International Assortment of Gifts
Notable gifts feature:
- A scarf from the leader of Albania, allegedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
- A sari from Kerala from the Indian leader.
- A box of jewellery from the president of Slovakia.
- A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
- A ceramic bowl from the former US president.
- A digital device from the leader of Ukraine.
- Paintings from the Moldovan government.
- Additional objects including makeup, a board, and numerous carpets received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.
"Perhaps the oddest gifts included the Milei figurine and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest.
Diplomatic Backdrop
Supporters have applauded Meloni, mostly from her allies, with garnering support from foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a key protagonist on the global scene once again.
This unique auction represents a distinct method to handle the diplomatic artifacts that are collected during a political career.
