VOA常速英语2020--马拉维的历史机遇

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, opposition¹ leader Lazarus Chakwera won the country’s rerun presidential vote defeating incumbent² 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, alleged³ 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 annul⁴ a presidential election over irregularities following Kenya in 2017. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed admiration⁵ 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 tainted⁶ 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 inaugural⁷ 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 presidency⁸ 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。

1 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。

2 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

3 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

4 annul   

v.宣告…无效，取消，废止

参考例句：

• They have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of their own standing committees.他们有权改变或者撤销本级人民代表大会常务委员会不适当的决定。
• The courts later found grounds to annul the results,after the king urged them to sort out the "mess".在国王敦促法庭收拾烂摊子后，法庭随后宣布废除选举结果。

5 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

6 tainted   

adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏

参考例句：

• The administration was tainted with scandal. 丑闻使得政府声名狼藉。
• He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime. 他因与腐败政府有牵连而名誉受损。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 inaugural   

adj.就职的；n.就职典礼

参考例句：

• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。

8 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。