Italians rally in support of Berlusconi

Tens of thousands of Italians have rallied in support of Premier Silvio Berlusconi's party ahead of this month's regional elections.

The rally was initially called to support Berlusconi's People of Freedom party after its candidates were excluded from the Rome provincial vote for missing a filing deadline.

It took on greater importance after Berlusconi was slandered on state-run RAI television.

The scandal has dominated Italian headlines just a week before the regional election. Berlusconi addressed the crowd, denouncing the opposition saying he wanted to preserve freedom and democracy for Italy.

A demonstrator parades during a pre-electoral rally of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's ruling center-right party "Popolo della Liberta" in Rome. (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)