Mal'tsev conditions and relations on algebras (Q5950773)

Let \({\mathcal L}\) be a purely relational first-order language. Relation symbols of \({\mathcal L}\) are interpreted by compatible relations on algebras. The author shows that every sentence in \({\mathcal L}\) which is preserved by products corresponds naturally to a Mal'tsev condition equivalent to a condition on subalgebras of a direct product. Further, every strong Mal'tsev condition given by linear identities is equivalent in this manner to a sentence in some purely relational first-order language. The author restricts his attention to locally finite varieties.