Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic response before Italian inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte addressed a parliamentary commission investigating the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcefully defending his government's emergency actions. Conte rejected allegations of wrongdoing during his tenure and submitted a document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro mask transaction involving JC Electronics.

During more than three hours of testimony, the Five Star Movement leader maintained that emergency decrees and procurement decisions strictly followed scientific advice to protect public health. He cautioned against turning the inquiry into a political trial while urging lawmakers to thoroughly review all pandemic procurement records. The hearing, delayed by several hours due to parliamentary scheduling conflicts, focused on executive decrees, mask acquisitions, and early emergency management strategies.

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