Conte defends pandemic management before parliamentary inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered extensive testimony to a parliamentary commission investigating Italy's pandemic response, defending his administration's health protocols and emergency decrees. Speaking for over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader insisted that all measures implemented during his tenure were lawful and necessary to protect public health.

Conte also revealed that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a 100-million-euro mask contract involving vendor JC Electronics, urging magistrates to probe potential counterfeiting. He cautioned against turning the inquiry into a "political execution squad" targeting opposition figures while calling for an objective evaluation of the country's crisis management. His appearance followed parliamentary delays, with commission members proceeding to question the former leader on procurement decisions and executive decrees.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.