AS IT IS 2016-01-14 Venezuelan President, Legislators in Conflict

AS IT IS 2016-01-14 Venezuelan President, Legislators in Conflict

Oil-rich Venezuela appears to be entering a time of political instability.

The conflict between the socialist¹ government of President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition²-controlled National Assembly is worsening.

Earlier, a court ruled that three opposition members could not be part of the assembly. But last week, the legislature defied the order and made them members. On Monday, the Supreme³ Court ruled that the assembly cannot move forward until the three opposition lawmakers are removed.

The three give the opposition enough votes in the assembly to remove Supreme Court justices. With their votes, the assembly can also write a new constitution and permit citizens to vote on legislation.

Last month, the opposition coalition⁴ Democratic Unity⁵ Roundtable won parliamentary elections.

Sean Burges studies South American politics. He is a researcher at the Australian National University. He says the best that can be hoped for now is that both sides will understand that the conflict can be an opportunity to reach agreement.

He says the president and the opposition need to work together to improve the economy, which has been in a recession. The country is also suffering from high inflation, a shortage of goods, rising crime and falling oil prices.

Words in This Story

instability – n. unrest; disorder

1 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

2 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

3 supreme   

adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的

参考例句：

• It was the supreme moment in his life.那是他一生中最重要的时刻。
• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。

4 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

5 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。