Former Italian premier Conte defends pandemic measures before parliamentary inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered a detailed defence of his administration's emergency health management during an extended hearing before the parliamentary COVID-19 inquiry commission in Rome.

The Five Star Movement leader dismissed accusations of misconduct, insisting his cabinet operated lawfully under unprecedented crisis conditions. Conte revealed he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a 100-million-euro contract with supplier JC Electronics for protective masks, urging judicial authorities to examine potential irregularities. Addressing lawmakers from the governing coalition, Conte cautioned against turning the inquiry into a political tribunal and defended the early containment policies, emergency decrees, and medical procurement procedures established during his tenure.

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