VOA标准英语2009年-Bulgaria's Opposition Wins Parliamentary P

Bulgaria's center-right opposition¹ party says it will start coalition² talks after winning the country's first parliamentary elections since the country joined the European Union. The governing Socialists⁴ were defeated following several corruption⁵ scandals and concerns over the economy.
　
Sofia mayor and leader of Bulgaria's center-right party (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) party, Boiko Borisov, left, hugs a supporter in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, 06 July 2009

Bulgaria's next prime minister is expected to be Sofia mayor and former bodyguard⁶ Boiko Borisov.

With most votes counted, Mr. Borisov's center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party (GERB) is expected to receive about 120 parliamentary seats, but one seat short of a majority.

The 50-year-old Mr. Borisov has told reporters he wants to start talks later Monday with at least one smaller party on forming a coalition that he says will tackle corruption and the ailing⁷ economy.

Negotiations⁸ are also expected with the Blue Coalition, a grouping of rightist parties, which has received about 16 seats.

In addition, Mr. Borisov has pledged to end ethnic⁹ tensions in the troubled country. He says we want to treat equally both Christians¹⁰ and Muslims and all ethnic groups who live in Bulgaria. And Mr. Borisov adds: "Anyone who raises the question of Bulgaria's ethnic map works against democracy and the Bulgarian citizens."

Mr. Borisov's center-right party defeated the ruling Socialist³-led coalition, which has been plagued by corruption scandals . Even Sunday's ballot¹¹ was overshadowed by reports of vote buying.

Last year the European Union froze about $800 million in aid for the Balkan nation of nearly eight million people.

With his party set to pick up just over 40 of Parliament's 240 seats, the embattled Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev has admitted defeat at a news conference.

Mr. Stanishev says he accepts with respect the choice of the Bulgarian citizens. He says the results mean hardship and a serious loss for the coalition and the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

Yet, Bulgaria's incoming government leader has his work already cut out for him.

The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, recently lifted a suspension of some 115 million euros, or $160 million, for a highway project and technical assistance. But the commissioner¹² for regional policy, Danuta Hubner, says Bulgaria has to do more to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in aid.

"This decision [to lift the suspension] is also on our side a strong encouragement for Bulgaria to strengthen and to extend the efforts in all areas where funds are still suspended," said Hubner. "And that we have for the future a system that is protecting also the EU funding from any improper¹³ or irregular use. "

Analysts¹⁴ say the new government must also quickly tackle economic policy issues to attract investors¹⁵, many of whom fled this year, in part because of the global financial crisis.

Mr. Borisov has promised to address the economic troubles, and talks are expected with the International Monetary¹⁶ Fund on a loan arrangement for the EU's poorest nation.

Sunday's ballot was the first parliamentary election since Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007.

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 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 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。

4 socialists   

社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The socialists saw themselves as true heirs of the Enlightenment. 社会主义者认为自己是启蒙运动的真正继承者。
• The Socialists junked dogma when they came to office in 1982. 社会党人1982年上台执政后，就把其政治信条弃之不顾。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 bodyguard   

n.护卫，保镖

参考例句：

• She has to have an armed bodyguard wherever she goes.她不管到哪儿都得有带武器的保镖跟从。
• The big guy standing at his side may be his bodyguard.站在他身旁的那个大个子可能是他的保镖。

7 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

9 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

10 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

11 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。

12 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

13 improper   

adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的

参考例句：

• Short trousers are improper at a dance.舞会上穿短裤不成体统。
• Laughing and joking are improper at a funeral.葬礼时大笑和开玩笑是不合适的。

14 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。

15 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

16 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。