Giuseppe Conte defends Italy's pandemic strategy before parliamentary Covid commission

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his administration's COVID-19 response during a lengthy hearing before a parliamentary inquiry commission in Rome. Speaking for over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader maintained there was "no wrongdoing" in his government's emergency executive decrees, vaccination rollouts, and medical equipment procurement.

Conte revealed he had submitted an anonymous report to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro mask deal involving supplier JC Electronics, calling for an investigation into potential counterfeit equipment. Rejecting criticism from the current ruling majority, Conte warned lawmakers against turning the panel into a political "firing squad." The session proceeded following initial parliamentary delays to examine key executive decisions made during the health emergency.

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