Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic record before Italian parliamentary inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appeared before a parliamentary commission of inquiry in Rome to defend his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his testimony, which lasted over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader asserted that "da me nessun illecito" occurred under his leadership and defended the emergency measures enacted during the health crisis.

Conte revealed that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a 100-million-euro contract with JC Electronics for potential counterfeit masks, urging authorities to investigate the procurement deal. The former premier pushed back against criticism from the ruling coalition, cautioning lawmakers against using the inquiry as "plotoni di esecuzione." The parliamentary panel is continuing its review of emergency decrees, procurement processes, and vaccine purchases.

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