英语听力精选进阶版 13644

Putin's party loses support in polls

Russian PM Vladimir Putin

Summary

5 December 2011

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has suffered an unexpected setback¹ in parliamentary elections. His party, United Russia, has won just under 50% of the vote.

Reporter

Steve Rosenberg

Report

For Vladimir Putin this is uncharted territory. He's grown used to being Russia's most popular and powerful politician - completely in control. But his political party has stuttered at the polls.

United Russia will remain the largest single party in the new parliament but it will have fewer seats. Its share of the vote has dropped from 64% to around 50%. And that amid widespread allegations of vote rigging in favour of the ruling party.

That will come as an embarrassment² to Mr Putin, just three months before he runs again for Russian president. He's almost certain to win the presidential election next March.

But the parliamentary poll reflects a growing fatigue³ with a leader who has dominated the Russian political stage for more than a decade.

Steve Rosenberg, BBC News, Moscow

1 setback   

n.退步，挫折，挫败

参考例句：

• Since that time there has never been any setback in his career.从那时起他在事业上一直没有遇到周折。
• She views every minor setback as a disaster.她把每个较小的挫折都看成重大灾难。

2 embarrassment   

n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫

参考例句：

• She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
• Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。

3 fatigue   

n.疲劳，劳累

参考例句：

• The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
• I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。