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Reuters

Supporters of Silvio Berlusconi protested in Rome against his tax fraud conviction that has rocked Italy's fragile coalition, but the centre-right leader said the government must continue.
Addressing a 2,000-strong crowd, a subdued Berlusconi again bitterly attacked what he calls leftist judges and insisted he was innocent.
But he said he would continue to support the shaky coalition of his centre-right People of Freedom (PdL) party with the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) of Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

"We have said loud and clear that the government must go forward to approve the economic measures that we asked for and were agreed," Berlusconi told the rally on Sunday, making clear that he was in no rush to force a snap election.
"What drives us is not our personal interests. Always the interests of everyone and of our Italy come first."
The 76-year-old's restrained performance was a contrast to his usual ebullient public appearances and his voice cracked several times during the address.
Italy's supreme court on Thursday upheld a four-year jail sentence - commuted to one year - for the media mogul.
It was the first definitive conviction he has suffered in dozens of trials since he stormed into politics in 1994. He says leftist magistrates are trying to subvert democracy by forcing him out of politics.
He is expected to serve the sentence either under house arrest in one of his luxurious residences or doing community service. Offenders over 70 are not normally sent to jail.
The PdL is lobbying for President Giorgio Napolitano to pardon Berlusconi, which political sources say he has angrily rejected as impossible. Berlusconi is still awaiting a verdict in an appeal against a conviction for paying for sex with a minor in the "Rubygate" scandal.
Anger in the PdL over the sentence and PD insistence that the law must be upheld have raised fears of a collapse of the coalition government.
But even if the government continues, the strife is likely to dim hopes for reforms desperately needed to drag the euro zone's third largest economy out of its longest post-war recession.
Defence minister Mario Mauro told newspaper Il Sussidario earlier there was an awareness in the government that the delicate coalition risked breakdown, but any move towards elections is unlikely until parliament returns from its summer recess.
Analysts say Berlusconi may hesitate to bring down the government and force elections because he is prevented from campaigning or standing as a candidate. Also, the party depends not only on his wealth but his charisma and communication skills for support.
In addition, until a dysfunctional electoral law is changed, a new election is likely to produce an even more chaotic outcome than the last vote in February.
Head of State Napolitano and Letta both say the country cannot afford another election at a moment of economic crisis.
After his speech, in which he defiantly said he would remain in the political fight, Berlusconi greeted emotional supporters, many of them women, in the crowd. Some of them wept as he shook their hands.


Thousands of supporters rally for Silvio Berlusconi

Ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi greets supporters at the rally in Rome, where he reaffirmed his support for the coalition.Photo: EPA

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Supporters of Silvio Berlusconi protested in Rome against his tax fraud conviction that has rocked Italy's fragile coalition, but the centre-right leader said the government must continue.
