Conte defends pandemic response and flags mask deal at inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered extensive testimony before the parliamentary commission investigating the country's COVID-19 pandemic response, defending his administration's governance and emergency measures.

During hours of questioning over lockdown decrees and vaccine management, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that his government committed no unlawful acts. Conte revealed that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a roughly 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics, urging judicial authorities to examine potential irregularities involving counterfeit masks.

Rejecting criticisms from the ruling coalition, Conte warned lawmakers against conducting partisan attacks or transforming the investigative body into a political tribunal against the opposition.

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