2006年VOA标准英语-Four-Time Benin Candidate Campaigns in Pre

By Joe Bavier
Abidjan
02 March 2006

In the second in a series of VOA reports profiling the leading candidates in Sunday's presidential election in Benin, Joe Bavier looks at four-time candidate Bruno Amoussou. A political insider, Amoussou is running on a platform promising¹ economic revival² in the poverty-stricken West African nation.

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Bruno Amoussou  
  

Bruno Amoussou is no stranger to Benin's political scene. A perennial³ candidate in presidential polls, since a multi-party system was reintroduced in 1990, he has held key posts as a representative of his Social Democratic Party for 15 years.

Amoussou won a seat in parliament in the first elections following the democratic transfer from military rule. He served first as vice⁴ president and then president of the National Assembly, before joining the government of outgoing President Mathieu Kerekou as minister of planning and development.

In Amoussou's fourth bid for the presidency⁵, he, like most of the 26 candidates, is concentrating on the economy.

Amoussou says he is calling for a change, but one that will take place in an atmosphere of security.

Although many analysts⁶ consider Benin one of the region's most stable democracies, its economy, dependent largely on cotton exports, is struggling. Unemployment, especially among the young, is high. And voters are hoping, whoever is elected Sunday will make things better.

"There is no more unbearable⁷ injustice," Amoussou says, "than that of unemployment." He says that is why education and training take priority in his government program.

Amoussou finished fourth in all of his previous presidential bids. This time, with President Kerekou and former President Nicephore Soglo both excluded, due to age restrictions⁸, he is viewed as a likely bet to make it to a second round.

Benin's constitution bars candidates over the age of 70 from running for president.

Observers say his experience in government, as well as his name recognition should help him at the polls. But critics say voters could see him as partially⁹ responsible for Benin's current economic woes¹⁰, due to his recent service in the Kerekou government.

Polls open Sunday for the first round of Benin's presidential election. If no single candidate wins more than 50 percent of the ballots¹¹ cast, a second round will take place two week later.

1 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

2 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

3 perennial   

adj.终年的；长久的

参考例句：

• I wonder at her perennial youthfulness.我对她青春常驻感到惊讶。
• There's a perennial shortage of teachers with science qualifications.有理科教学资格的老师一直都很短缺。

4 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 unbearable   

adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的

参考例句：

• It is unbearable to be always on thorns.老是处于焦虑不安的情况中是受不了的。
• The more he thought of it the more unbearable it became.他越想越觉得无法忍受。

8 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

9 partially   

adv.部分地，从某些方面讲

参考例句：

• The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
• The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静，宵禁部分解除。

10 woes   

困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉

参考例句：

• Thanks for listening to my woes. 谢谢您听我诉说不幸的遭遇。
• She has cried the blues about its financial woes. 对于经济的困难她叫苦不迭。

11 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》