Brasília, /1/26/2006 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday the Chamber of Deputies approved, in a first vote, a proposed constitutional amendment (Proposta de Emenda Constitucional) (PEC) that would end so-called verticalization (verticalização) of political parties. The vote was 343 to 143.
A total of 308 votes was needed.

Verticalization makes it mandatory for Brazil's many political parties to have the same allies at all levels. That is, if party A is allied with party B in the state of São Paulo, it must also be allied with party B in the national election for president. Opposition to the rule was based on giving political parties more flexibility. Those in favor of verticalization claim it works to force political parties to unite around strong programs.

Translation: Allen Bennett