Thousands of demonstrators have joined a protest against Silvio Berlusconi in Rome.

The protests come days after the Italian Prime Minister survived a confidence vote in parliament that could have triggered early elections.

The second "No Berlusconi Day" protest adds to the angry climate in Italian politics which has been overshadowed for months by infighting in the ruling center-right party.

The feud between Berlusconi and his former ally Gianfranco Fini has prompted criticism from groups ranging from business to unions and senior members of the Catholic Church.

They claim Italy's political leaders are ignoring the country's real problems.

The future of Berlusconi's government remains in the balance after the confidence vote on Wednesday, which the government only won with the consent of Fini's parliamentary group.