Silvio Berlusconi resigned as prime minister of Italy too early and for the wrong reason. On that rests his hope of regaining power through a rapid election, which he demanded but which President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro is not obligated to call.
Mr. Berlusconi, a billionaire businessman, campaigned for power from the outside as a shining foe of corruption. To many, his rhetoric was never credible because his own fantastic success in business raised questions. Now Mr. Berlusconi is under investigation by independent magistrates. That would be an embarrassment for any government (except possibly Italy's), but is not why he resigned.
He has presided since May 10 over an impossible coalition government of the right, as mandated by the March election. His own party, named for his soccer club (imagine quitting the Republicans for the Orioles), has two partners. They are the National Alliance, which is neo-Fascist and favors strong central government especially in the South, and the Northern League, which favors regional autonomy if not secession by the North.
Mr. Berlusconi had to resign because his coalition partner, Umberto Bossi, withdrew the Northern League's support. Mr. Bossi all but calls Mr. Berlusconi a crook who beats the rap through political influence. This government was going to fall.
Yet the final straw is not a verdict, but rather a power play by Mr. Bossi. For whatever consolation it brings Mr. Berlusconi, his neo-Fascist friends remain steadfast. Mr. Berlusconi wants an immediate election now, while his Forza Italia might do even better. Mr. Bossi favors finding a coalition involving former Communists and defecting Christian Democrats, which of course he would be required to lead.
Three years of continuing revelation and scandal have discredited the Christian Democrats, who provided solid continuity through constantly shifting governments for a half-century. Mr. Berlusconi always seemed an odd Mr. Clean Alternative, in view of his remarkable business successes under the old regime.
But he is merely under suspicion and investigation. He is not known to be guilty. The next election really ought to reflect a resolution of the investigation, so that Italian voters have some objective guidance as to whether Mr. Berlusconi is the biggest crook or the greatest hope. For the time being, Italy would be better off under caretakers, even if he is one of them.