World Notes Italy

Once more, Italy's political merry-go-round came full circle. After being forced to resign as Prime Minister last month, presumably by his erstwhile Christian Democratic coalition partners, Socialist Party Leader Bettino Craxi was asked by President Francesco Cossiga to try to form the country's 45th government since World War II. Cossiga turned to Craxi last week after Giulio Andreotti, a Christian Democrat who has served five times as Prime Minister, conceded that he did not have enough support to head a new government. Noted an Italian businessman: "We're back where we started."

Within days, Craxi and his Socialists had formed a ruling coalition with the Christian Democrats and three smaller parties. In return for their backing, Craxi, whose 34-month government was Italy's longest since 1943, has promised to step down by next spring. A Christian Democrat will then take over as Prime Minister until elections in 1988.