Tens of thousands of union workers marched through more than 50 Italian cities to protest government economic reforms that they say erode their rights.

Striking Italian union workers have marched through more than 50 towns and cities to protest against government economic reforms they say erode their rights.

Italy’s fractious ruling coalition struggled to bridge differences over a housing tax that threatens to create a new crisis for a government already severely strained by the legal turmoil surrounding Silvio Berlusconi.

Italy’s fragile coalition government, already struggling to contain deep divisions over tax and economic policy, woke up to a whole set of new problems yesterday after Silvio Berlusconi’s conviction for tax fraud was upheld by the supreme court.

A centre-left group of parties appears to have the best chance at forming a coalition government in Italy after an inconclusive national election, but the challenge is steep and comes amid public anger over austerity measures.