Giuseppe Conte defends pandemic response before Italian parliamentary inquiry

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appeared before a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conte temporarily stepped down from the panel to deliver his testimony, defending his administration's emergency decrees, medical procurement, and containment measures.

Rejecting allegations of impropriety, Conte told lawmakers that no illegal acts were committed during his tenure. During the session, which was delayed by several hours due to parliamentary scheduling conflicts, the Five Star Movement leader submitted a document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics over potentially counterfeit face masks. Conte characterized the commission as a political initiative aimed at discrediting his government, engaging in sharp exchanges with coalition lawmakers during over three hours of testimony.

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