VOA常速英语2007-Argentina's First Lady To Be President

By Michael Bowman
Buenos Aires
29 October 2007

Supporters of Argentina's first lady are celebrating her overwhelming victory in Sunday's presidential election. VOA's Michael Bowman reports from Buenos Aires, where Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will receive the presidential sash from her husband, President Nestor Kirchner, in December.

For the first time in its history, Argentina has a woman president-elect. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner received about twice as many votes as each of her nearest rivals, former Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna and socialist¹ lawmaker Elisa Carrio, easily avoiding a second round contest.

Fernandez is the wife of outgoing President Nestor Kirchner. She is also a senator. In a televised address, she appealed for national unity².

She said that victory has been secured by perhaps the widest margin³ of any presidential candidate since the restoration of democratic rule [in 1983]. She said, rather than seeking privilege, she and her supporters feel great responsibility and obligation toward their fellow-Argentines. She added that a country cannot be created by good governance alone. She called for the construction of a new society and the creation a new image for the Argentine people.

Argentines also elected legislators and provincial⁴ governors in Sunday's democratic exercise.

Many polling stations opened late, and ballot⁵ shortages hampered⁶ voting in some locations. Some opposition⁷ candidates suggested the problems and irregularities stemmed from a plot by the government of President Kirchner to guarantee a Fernandez victory.

Others, like former Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna, conceded defeat and acknowledged that the first lady had won.

Lavagna said that those who voted for him and his political allies have their thanks. He said those who did not, have their respect.

President Kirchner opted⁸ to forgo⁹ running for a second term in office. He could run again in four years. Some political observers say Fernandez' victory could be the beginning of a political dynasty in Argentina, with husband and wife switching positions term after term, so long as voters allow them to do so.

During the campaign, Fernandez downplayed comparisons to a formidable female figure from Argentina's past, Eva Peron (wife of two-time President Juan Peron), as well as former U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton. She has promised to build on her husband's solid economic record and to ensure that all Argentines benefit from the gains.

The president-elect has shown a desire to travel and engage with foreign leaders. She says she will work to attract greater foreign investment to Argentina.

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 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。

3 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

4 provincial   

adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
• Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。

5 ballot   

n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票

参考例句：

• The members have demanded a ballot.会员们要求投票表决。
• The union said they will ballot members on whether to strike.工会称他们将要求会员投票表决是否罢工。

6 hampered   

妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions. 恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• So thought every harassed, hampered, respectable boy in St. Petersburg. 圣彼德堡镇的那些受折磨、受拘束的体面孩子们个个都是这么想的。

7 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。

8 opted   

v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She was co-opted onto the board. 她获增选为董事会成员。
• After graduating she opted for a career in music. 毕业后她选择了从事音乐工作。

9 forgo   

v.放弃，抛弃

参考例句：

• Time to prepare was a luxuary he would have to forgo.因为时间不够，他不得不放弃做准备工作。
• She would willingly forgo a birthday treat if only her warring parents would declare a truce.只要她的父母停止争吵，她愿意放弃生日宴请。