Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic record before Italian COVID inquiry commission

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte delivered an extensive defence of his administration's pandemic management during an hours-long hearing before the parliamentary COVID-19 inquiry commission in Rome.

Conte, the leader of the Five Star Movement, rejected allegations of wrongdoing and warned against turning the inquiry into a political tribunal. During his testimony, he confirmed submitting an anonymous dossier to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro contract with supplier JC Electronics, urging judicial authorities to investigate potential counterfeit protective equipment.

The former premier maintained that his cabinet's emergency decrees and procurement decisions strictly complied with the law during unprecedented crisis conditions. Conte also engaged in sharp exchanges with lawmakers from the ruling coalition, defending Italy's early health containment strategy against claims of procedural overreach.

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