The takeover proposal came in response to a Supreme Court decision in April upholding an Indiana law governing takeovers.

IN the debate on the role of Federal and state laws governing corporate takeovers, the alliances being formed invert traditional political labels.

Hans Eichel, Germany's finance minister, suggested that the European Union needed to harmonize its rules governing takeovers.

Delaware, which is to corporate law what Switzerland is to banking secrecy, will soon have new rules governing takeovers, according to lawyers and legislators.

Any new law in Delaware regulating corporate mergers would significantly alter the rules governing takeovers around the country.

Mr. Ruder has proposed to Congress that there be one national rule governing takeovers.

The inability of E.U. member nations to agree on rules governing corporate takeovers is particularly telling.

Earlier this year, German leaders torpedoed a 12-year effort to reach agreement on a Europewide set of rules governing corporate takeovers.

For instance, although the proposals would not directly change the rules governing takeovers and changes in corporate control, they could have implications for them.

Other states are likely to enact similar measures, and Congress is also considering legislation to govern takeovers.