Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic response at Italian inquiry hearing

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic during a parliamentary inquiry hearing in Rome. Speaking for over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that no illegalities occurred under his administration's emergency decrees, health restrictions, and equipment procurement strategies.

Conte informed lawmakers that he submitted an anonymous report to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro mask contract with supplier JC Electronics, calling on authorities to investigate potential counterfeit supplies. Addressing the committee created by the ruling coalition, Conte rejected criticism of his emergency measures and cautioned against using the parliamentary panel as a political forum. The hearing proceeded following several hours of procedural delays in the Chamber of Deputies.

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