Italy’s lower house of parliament has approved a parliamentary inquiry into the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to concerns from the opposition about a potential witch hunt against those in power during that time.
As the first Western nation severely impacted by the coronavirus in early 2020, Italy’s centre-left government, led by then Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, faced significant criticism from the right-wing opposition for its management of the crisis.
The bill to establish the inquiry, supported by rightist forces that now dominate the house and back Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, received 172 votes in favor. The bill still requires final approval from the Senate.
Following the announcement of the result, coalition lawmakers chanted “truth, truth” in unison, while most of the opposition chose not to participate in the vote.
Italy has witnessed over 190,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
Italy is not the only country conducting an inquiry into pandemic management. A similar investigation was initiated in Britain to assess the handling of COVID-19 and identify any mistakes made.
Last month, a case against Conte and Health Minister Roberto Speranza was dismissed by prosecutors in the northern city of Bergamo, the epicenter of the Italian outbreak, after investigating the alleged initial mishandling of the crisis.
However, lawmakers believe that various aspects require closer examination by parliament, including the lack of updates to a pandemic plan formulated in 2006 and the validity of the stringent lockdown measures imposed by the government.
