Bratislava, 27 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Today president Fernando Henrique Cardoso commented on a court decision by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) ordering what is being called the "verticalization" of alliances. The practical effect of the ruling is that political parties will have to have the same allies at all levels: nationwide, state and municipal, or desist from running candidates in some elections where such alliances are not possible.

Cardoso said that although he did not know the details of the ruling, he considered it "very good". We have always wanted a political reform, and suddenly the reform has begun," he said. (AB)