Judges at Italy's top administrative court decided on Saturday against reinstating a candidate list that was submitted late by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's ruling coalition.

The decision went against an emergency government decree enacted last month to ensure the list would go forward.

On the same day tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Rome to voice anger at what they consider Berlusconi's repeated attempts to change the rules.

A bureaucratic error meant that the correct documents were not submitted to the electoral office on time by Berlusconi's People of Freedom party in the Rome region. The elections at the end of the month, in 13 of Italy's 20 regions, are viewed as an important test of strength for Berlusconi's government.

Banners and balloons

In the capital, protesters filled the city square Piazza del Popolo carrying banners and balloons in the colors of opposition parties.

Speakers criticized the emergency election list decree and a series of other legal challenges that have angered Berlusconi's opponents. Previous protests against the prime minister have focused on his efforts to have laws passed that would exempt him from legal proceedings.

Pier Luigi Bersani, head of the largest opposition Democratic Party, called for unity in the opposition to Berlusconi. "A different Italy is possible," he said.

In a television interview, Berlusconi said the protest was "grotesque," and claimed that the protesters wanted to take away his supporters' voting rights. The controversial Italian prime minster's is currently on trial for corruption and tax fraud.

Center-left groups said that 200,000 people had turned out for the occasion, named "Rules Day.” Police estimates put the number nearer to 30,000.

rc/Reuters/AFP
Editor: Ben Knight