Italy's Meloni forced to auction gifts she received from world leaders for charity

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to auction diplomatic gifts and donate proceeds to charity.
• The move sparks debate over transparency versus diplomatic norms.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has triggered widespread debate after announcing plans to auction diplomatic gifts she received from world leaders and donate the proceeds to charity.

The announcement quickly drew attention on social media, with supporters praising the move as a sign of transparency and good governance, while critics described it as a diplomatic slight toward countries that offered the gifts as gestures of goodwill.

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The controversy has fueled a broader question. Did Meloni act as a humanitarian leader, or as a head of government cleverly applying the law.

Opposition request reveals scale

The issue surfaced after opposition lawmaker Francesco Bonifazi demanded disclosure of the gifts Meloni received since taking office.

Meloni received 270 diplomatic gifts with an estimated total value of about  USD 870,000, according to documents submitted to parliament.

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In response, Meloni provided an eleven-page detailed inventory listing high-value items, including a jewelry box from Slovakia, rare watercolor paintings from Moldova, and a statue presented by the president of Argentina.

Law shapes decision

While the plan has been framed by Meloni as a charitable initiative, it is closely tied to Italy’s legal framework governing official gifts.

Italian law states that gifts exceeding a value of about USD 330 are considered state property and cannot be kept for personal use. As a result, Meloni cannot legally retain many of the items listed.

By opting to auction the gifts and direct the proceeds to charitable causes, Meloni effectively transformed a legal obligation into a public gesture that attracted significant media attention.

Diplomatic norms questioned

Critics argue that selling diplomatic gifts, even for charity, risks undermining long-standing customs that view such items as symbols of bilateral respect rather than material assets.

Supporters counter that transparency and compliance with the law outweigh symbolic concerns, particularly when proceeds are directed toward public benefit.

Auction planned in Rome

The auction is scheduled to take place in Rome before the end of the year.

Observers say the final sums raised could exceed the gifts’ material value, given their diplomatic significance and the public interest surrounding the sale.

The outcome may shape future debates in Italy over how leaders handle diplomatic gifts, and whether legal compliance can coexist with diplomatic sensitivity.