Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic record before Italian parliamentary Covid commission

Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte appeared before a parliamentary commission investigating the country's pandemic management, defending his administration's emergency measures and procurement policies. To testify before the panel, the Five Star Movement leader temporarily stepped down from his commission seat.

During hours of testimony, Conte maintained that his cabinet operated legally and transparently when introducing emergency decrees. He announced that he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a roughly 100-million-euro mask procurement deal with supplier JC Electronics, requesting a judicial inquiry into whether counterfeit protective equipment was supplied.

Conte rejected accusations from the governing majority, stating he committed no illegal acts and cautioning lawmakers against turning the inquiry into a partisan tribunal.

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