非洲—布基纳法索总统竞选下一届任期

Burkina Faso President to Run for Another Term

布基纳法索总统竞选下一届任期

 

Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore has announced he will run for another term in the November presidential elections. The poll will likely pit Mr. Compaore against more than 10 challengers.

 

An announcer shouts the name of Burkina Faso's president to a crowd of staunch supporters.

 

'Blaise Compaore,' he shouts. And the crowd replied, 'To Power'. 'Blaise Compaore,' he repeated. And this time they shout back, 'In the first round.'

 

It was at a well-planned rally in his home village of Ziniare Wednesday that Mr. Compaore made the announcement that many here have been expecting for months.

 

In his speech, Mr. Compaore thanked his supporters for what he called their infinite love for their homeland.

 

Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, President Compaore said he would have the support of men and women, young and old, all united for the greater development of Burkina Faso.

 

Mr. Compaore seized power in a military coup¹ 18 years ago and has been in office ever since. He was elected unopposed in elections in 1991 and later reelected in a landslide² in 1998.

 

In the capital Ouagadougou, few people seemed surprised that the 55-year-old president will seek another term.

 

"To tell the truth, it's not much of a surprise," said one man. "But we had to wait for him to announce," he said.

 

The length of a presidential term was reduced from seven to five years by constitutional amendment³ in 2000.

 

This man says he is willing to give the president more time to try to improve the situation in Burkina Faso.

 

He says Mr. Compaore needs to prove he can lead the country, if not towards development, at least towards a better life.

 

The first round of this year's presidential election is due to take place November 16.

 

Joe Bavier for VOA News, Abidjan.

 

注释：

Burkina Faso [bE:7ki:nE 5fAsEu] 布基纳法索

Blaise Compaore 布莱斯·孔波雷

pit [pit] vt. 相斗，抗衡

staunch [stC:n(t)F] adj. 坚定的

rally [5rAli] n. 集会

infinite [5infinit] adj. 无穷的，无限的

journalist [5dVE:nElist] n. 新闻记者

coup [ku:] n. 政变

landslide [5lAndslaid] n. 占绝对优势的选举，压倒多数的选票

Ouagadougou [7wB:^E5du:^u:] n. 瓦加杜古，布基纳法索首都

constitutional [7kCnsti5tju:FEnEl] adj. 宪法的

amendment [E5mendmEnt] n. 修正

1 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。

2 landslide   

n.(竞选中)压倒多数的选票；一面倒的胜利

参考例句：

• Our candidate is predicated to win by a landslide.我们的候选人被预言将以绝对优势取胜。
• An electoral landslide put the Labour Party into power in 1945.1945年工党以压倒多数的胜利当选执政。

3 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。