Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic response before Italian inquiry panel

Former Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte appeared before a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the country's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. During a testimony lasting over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader defended his administration's containment measures and rejected accusations of misconduct.

Conte informed lawmakers that he had submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro procurement contract for masks with JC Electronics, urging authorities to investigate potential counterfeiting. He also accused the parliamentary panel of acting as a political tool for the governing coalition rather than an impartial review body. The hearing at Palazzo San Macuto experienced a four-hour delay due to parliamentary scheduling conflicts before proceeding.

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