Silvio Berlusconi says Italy's coalition government 'must forge ahead' Earlier in the day on Sunday Mr Napolitano was reported to have labelled the former premier's close allies "irresponsible" as one warned of "civil war" if Mr Berlusconi was forced out of office after the high court decision. Sandro Bondi, a senior official in Mr Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PdL), said he must be allowed to stay in politics "or Italy risks a sort of civil war with unpredictable outcomes for all." Five ministers from Mr Berlusconi's party, including Deputy Prime Minister Angelino Alfano, raised concern about the future of the ruling coalition on Friday when they threatened to resign from the government in a move that could force fresh elections. Traffic was blocked on the main thoroughfare in front of his villa in central Rome amid tight security as supporters came from across the country and blocked the street in front of Mr Berlusconi's residence. "Italian justice has to be changed," said Marialina Marchel, who travelled more than six hours from the northern city of Trento to attend the rally. He is no saint but in this case he is innocent. He is a great entrepreneur who has done a lot for Italy. He deserves another chance. "Jail for the judges," yelled Adriano Tiziani, a retired council worker from Montecatini Terme in Tuscany. I think this decision is unjust since he was prime minister when this fraud occurred. His managers or his son were running the company. The party's parliamentary leaders, Renato Schifani and Renato Brunetta, are expected to meet Mr Napolitano on Monday to seek formally a presidential pardon for Mr Berlusconi. Prime Minister Enrico Letta warned the former premier's supporters against any attempt to "blackmail" the presidential palace. Deputy Economy Minister Stefano Fassina, a senior member of the Democratic Party, called the request for a pardon "an unacceptable provocation, as is the request to put the judiciary under political control." Several legal experts said a pardon would be impossible as Mr Berlusconi is still awaiting a verdict in an appeal against his seven-year conviction for paying for sex with an under age prostitute and abuse of office and a one-year sentence for publishing police wire taps of a political rival.