VOA常速英语2020--马拉维的历史机遇（在线收听）

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the U.S. government. Malawi at long last has a newly sworn-in president following a 13 month election process. On June 23, opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera won the country’s rerun presidential vote defeating incumbent President Peter Mutharika with more than 58 percent of the vote. The first presidential election was held back in May 2019 when President Mutharika claimed a narrow victory. But Mr. Chakwera, who came in second place, alleged voter fraud and appealed to Malawi’s Constitutional Court. The Court found evidence of widespread irregularities and in February 2020 ordered a new election to be held.

接下来是一篇反映美国政府观点的社论。经过13个月的选举，马拉维终于有了一位新宣誓就职的总统。6月23号，反对党领袖拉撒路·查克维拉以超过58%的得票率，击败了现任总统彼得·穆塔里卡，并赢得了该国重新举行的总统选举。第一次总统大选在2019年5月举行，当时穆塔里卡总统宣布自己险胜。但是排在第二位的查克维拉指控选民舞弊，并向马拉维宪法法院提出申诉。马拉维宪法法院发现存在严重的不规则行为的证据，并于2020年2月份下令举行新的总统大选。

Malawi is only the second African nation to annul a presidential election over irregularities following Kenya in 2017. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed admiration for the commitment to the rule of law and democracy exhibited during Malawi’s presidential elections: “The people of Malawi elected Lazarus Chakwera as their next president. This is only the second time that a court in Africa, has overturned a presidential election tainted by irregularities, and the only time that a re-election process has resulted in the election of an opposite party candidate. Truly a historic opportunity for the people of that country.”

马拉维是继2017年肯尼亚之后第二个因不规则行为而取消总统大选的非洲国家。美国国务卿迈克·蓬佩奥对马拉维总统大选期间展现出的法治和民主的践行表示钦佩：“马拉维人民选举拉撒路·查克维拉为下一任总统。这是非洲法院第二次推翻受不规则行为影响的总统大选，也是唯一一次通过再次竞选选出了反对党候选人。对于马拉维的人民来说，这是真正的历史机遇。”

President Chakwera has called his election a “win for democracy and justice.” In his inaugural address, he promised not to put himself above the rule of law: "This means that as required by law, I will make a full declaration of my assets each year; I will go to parliament to be questioned by the people about my handling of state affairs; I will propose legislation to reduce the powers of the presidency and empower institutions to operate independently, including parliament and the Anti-Corruption Bureau.”This is an historic opportunity for Malawi to work toward a future of greater prosperity, government accountability,

查克维拉总统称这次大选为“民主和正义的胜利。”他在就职演说中承诺不会把自己凌驾于法治之上：“这意味着，根据法律的要求，我会每年全面申报我的财产；我会去议会接受人民对我处理国家事务的质询；我将提出立法，以减少总统的权力，并向议会、反贪局等机构授予权力，使其独立运作。对于马拉维来说，这是一个历史机遇，有助于实现更加繁荣、政府问责制和自由的未来。这是一篇反映美国政府观点的社论。