Rome, Apr. 22 (LaPresse) – "The role of a lawyer is an essential function in a democratic system, it is also recognised by the legal system; the right of defence in Article 24 is a constitutional principle. You have managed to embarrass President Mattarella, who had to remind you of our Constitution. And so, as a lawyer, I say it with pride: we lawyers are the bulwark of those who have no protection. We will never be servants of the government of the day, puppets in the hands of the government to try to make up for four years of failure of the Meloni government. Forget it." This was stated by M5S leader Giuseppe Conte during his declaration of vote on the confidence motion placed by the government on the Security Decree. "I was surprised and chilled when Meloni stated that everyone, including magistrates, must work in the same direction as the government, the executive. Chilling. Magistrates are the barrier, they are the guardians of legality, they protect rights. You have not succeeded with magistrates, with the reform; now you are trying to subjugate lawyers to your government functions," he added.