Former Italian premier Conte defends COVID-19 response before parliamentary inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his administration’s pandemic response during a lengthy hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission. Resigning temporarily from his position on the panel to testify, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that his government committed no wrongdoing during the crisis.

Conte turned over an anonymous document to prosecutors in Rome concerning a 100-million-euro contract with JC Electronics for mask procurements, demanding a thorough investigation into possible counterfeit equipment. Denouncing the political nature of the commission, he rejected criticisms regarding his executive decrees and urged lawmakers not to turn the inquiry into a "firing squad." Conte insisted Italy's emergency protocols were transparent and science-driven throughout the initial phases of the emergency.

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