Former Italian premier Conte defends pandemic response before parliamentary panel

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his administration's management of the COVID-19 pandemic during testimony before a parliamentary inquiry commission on Thursday, rejecting allegations of wrongdoing.

Addressing the panel, the Five Star Movement leader asserted that his government acted legally and maintained that investigators would find "nulla di illecito" regarding his conduct. Conte strongly criticized the inquiry, characterizing the commission as a "plotone di esecuzione" aimed at targeting his administration while shielding other officials from political scrutiny.

During his testimony, Conte revealed that he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a transaction involving potentially suspect protective masks, requesting authorities to investigate the matter. The hearing took place after a four-hour delay caused by parliamentary proceedings.

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