Berlusconi denounced at huge Rome rally

ROME, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A crowd estimated at up to 2 million jammed Rome's Circus Maximus Sunday to protest Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's policies, observers said.

The protesters said Berlusconi was taking Italy too far to the right and blasted him as incapable of dealing with the financial and social problems facing Italy, the BBC reported.

Walter Veltroni, leader of the country's center-left opposition, told the crowd Italy was becoming more fascist under Berlusconi, who was returned to power in April. Polls showed Berlusconi's views on restricting immigration and cracking down on crime were popular, but now opposition to them is starting to galvanize again, the British broadcaster said.

It reported Sunday's demonstration was the biggest anti-government rally since Berlusconi was returned to power. Crowd estimates ranged from several hundred thousand to 2 million.