Thousands of supporters of Silvio Berlusconi protested in Rome on Sunday against a tax fraud conviction that has rocked Italy's fragile coalition, but the centre-right leader said the government must continue, according to Reuters. Addressing the 2,000-strong crowd, a subdued Berlusconi again bitterly attacked what he calls leftist judges and insisted he was innocent, but 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, making clear that he was in no rush to force a snap election as some of his hawkish supporters have demanded. "What drives us is not our personal interests. Always the interests of everyone and of our Italy come first." Dressed in a navy t-shirt under a suit jacket, 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. -- SPA 22:34 LOCAL TIME 19:34 GMT تغريد
