VOA慢速英语2018--Turkey's Erdogan Takes on New Powers

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is preparing to extend his rule and take on new powers after his victory in elections on Sunday.

His ruling AK party and their allies won a majority in Turkey’s parliament in the voting.

Electoral officials declared Erdogan the winner of the presidential election. Erdogan’s main opponent, Muharrem Ince, admitted defeat, but called the vote “unjust.”

Under the new presidential system, the prime minister’s position no longer exists and executive powers are given to the president, who rules with limited checks and balances.

As president, Erdogan himself can appoint ministers and vice¹ presidents, approve declarations, propose a budget and decide on security policies, all without parliamentary approval.

The Turkish president has controlled the country’s politics for the past 15 years. Critics have accused him of increasingly taking authoritarian² actions. But supporters love Erdogan for bringing economic growth and security. Turkey’s money, the lira, rose in value on Monday with his victory.

Erdogan’s victory could also add to Turkey’s division with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Western countries are concerned about Turkish ties with Russia. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Erdogan on his victory.

In his victory speech, Erdogan set a goal of making Turkey one of the world’s top 10 economies by 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Turkish republic.

He also promised a more “determined³” fight against Kurdish rebels and a movement reportedly led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen.

Erdogan has accused the clergyman of organizing a plot to overthrow⁴ his government. Gulen denies involvement.

Turkish forces have arrested 50,000 people since the failed overthrow attempt in 2016. More than 110,000 government workers have also been dismissed under a state of emergency after the coup⁵.

The European Union said it hoped Erdogan would “remain a committed partner for the EU on major issues of common interest, such as immigration, security and the fight against terrorism.

Luxembourg’s foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, noted⁶ on Monday it is now up to Erdogan to decide whether Turkey’s relations with the EU will improve.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

checks and balances - phrase, checks and balances in government was developed to ensure that no one branch of government would become to powerful

authoritarian - adj. not allowing personal freedom

determined - adj. having a strong feeling that you are going to do something

committed - adj. willing to give time, energy ... to do something

1 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。

2 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

3 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

4 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

5 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。