Rome: Clashes As Thousands March The Streets

Demonstrators have clashed with police in Rome as tens of thousands of people marched through the city to protest against unemployment, government cuts and construction projects they say take money away from social services.

The protesters turned over rubbish bins in front of the Economy Ministry and set several bins on fire.

Using sticks and clubs, they attacked police in riot gear. The police responded by charging the protesters and chasing them up side streets.

The demonstrators, who infiltrated a mostly peaceful protest, threw smoke bombs, eggs and bottles at the ministry and broke the window of a nearby bank.

A protester clashes with police in front of the Ministry of Finance

Police said 15 of the most violent protesters have been arrested and two policemen have been injured.

In another area along the demonstration route, police defused a large firework with a bullet inside, which they said could have caused serious damage had it gone off.

Protesters also set off smoke bombs and fireworks along the route and many planned to camp out during the night in front of the Infrastructure Ministry.

Police charged the protesters and chased them up side streets

The protest comes as Prime Minister Enrico Letta tries to hold together his coalition government and struggles to lead Italy out of its worst post-war recession.

Mr Letta's 2014 budget, unveiled on Tuesday, has become a focal point of discontent, with unions complaining about freezes on public sector salaries and what they say is an insufficient easing of the tax burden on workers.

Youth unemployment is at an all-time high in Italy of 40.1%.

Police hold shields as protesters throw flares

Organisers said at least 70,000 people joined the march that started in Piazza San Giovanni on the south side of the city and snaked its way through the city.

Many shops along the route were closed as a precaution.

The mostly young demonstrators held up banners against unemployment, lack of affordable housing and the planned TAV high-speed train link to France.

Opponents of the project say that as well as environmental concerns, the money to build the high-speed train should be used to help the poor and unemployed.

The demonstrators threw smoke bombs, eggs and bottles

Matteo, a 20-year-old student from the eastern Marche region, who declined to give his surname, said: "This protest is to demand basic rights: a job paying a wage, and housing.

"All the most downtrodden people are here to protest, unemployed people, students, immigrants, workers without job security."

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