VOA慢速英语2015 布隆迪总统可能寻求第三任期

AS IT IS 2015-03-10 Burundi President May Seek a Third Term 布隆迪总统可能寻求第三任期

Burundi is facing unrest before its presidential election in June. People are questioning the right of President Pierre Nkurunziza to seek a third term.

Advisors¹, political observers and Burundi’s opposition² party all say the president plans to seek re-election. The move is disputed because the constitution limits a president to two five-year terms.

Mr. Nkurunziza was first elected to the presidency³ in 2005. His election was the result of a national assembly vote, not a popular election. At the time, he was the only presidential candidate.

In 2010, voters elected Mr. Nkurunziza to a second term, after the opposition candidate left the race.

Now, some observers say it may not be illegal for the president to seek a third term. But, they say, it might not be the right thing to do.

John Manirakiza is from Burundi. He says no one should be able to serve for more than 10 years, whether or not the constitution allows a third term.

He notes that the country is still arguing about a presidential candidate only three months before the election. That fact, he says, shows the country’s politics are dysfunctional, or unhealthy.  

Agathon Rwasa is the leading opposition candidate. He agrees Burundi’s political situation is bad and may be getting worse. Recently, media reported large demonstrations⁴ in the country’s capital.  

Isidore Ntirampeba is with the Burundian embassy to the United States. He points out that President Nkurunziza did not choose to run in 2005. Instead, his party appointed him.

And, Mr. Ntirampeba says, the president’s party has not yet named a candidate for the 2015 election.  

The United Nations Security Council has commented on the situation. In a statement released last month, Council members called for a free, fair and peaceful election process.

Words in This Story

dysfunctional – adj. having poor and unhealthy behaviors and attitudes

run – v. to seek office

1 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

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 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。

4 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。