2006年VOA标准英语-Socialists Win Hungary's Elections

By Stefan Bos
Budapest
23 April 2006

Hungary's ruling left wing coalition¹ has won the country's first parliamentary elections since it joined the European Union in 2004. The Hungarian Socialist² Party and its liberal ally beat the center right opposition³.

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Hungarian Prime Minister of the Hungarian Socialist Party, Ferenc Gyurcsany, right, celebrates the socialist's victory in the second round of the parliamentary election  
  

There were scenes of celebrations at the packed Budapest headquarters of the ruling Hungarian Socialist Party, which has made history.

For the first time since the demise⁴ of Communism in 1989 a Hungarian government has been re-elected.

Election officials said the Socialists⁵ and its liberal coalition partner Alliance of Free Democrats⁶ are expected to have around 210 seats in the 386-member parliament.

The main center right opposition party Fidesz and the smaller right-wing Hungarian Democratic Forum⁷ Party reportedly have 175. As soon as the results became known, Fidesz leader Viktor Orban acknowledged defeat and congratulated Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

Mr. Gyurcsany told his supporters that his administration would create a more equal society amid concerns over social tensions in Hungary, which joined the European Union two years ago. "I believe in Hungary. I believe that we can build up a Hungary that will be open for everyone and where it doesn't matter where you are born in a small village or a town," he says. "We want to create a country where it is worthwhile to work and where you can get rich by using your talents and hard work."

The 44-year old Mr. Gyurcsany, a former Communist who became a self-made millionaire before returning to politics, considers British Prime Minister Tony Blair his political mentor⁸.

Mr. Gyurcsany's left wing coalition has made clear it wants to embrace globalization and free market reforms while fighting for social justice.

While Western investors⁹ welcome the pro-business rhetoric¹⁰ of the Socialists, there is growing concern over the ballooning budget deficit¹¹ which stood at around six percent of gross domestic product in 2006.

The deficit is the highest within the European Union and is a threat to Hungary's plans to meet the requirements to introduce the euro currency in 2010.

Sunday's celebrations were expected to be short-lived as some officials have already spoken off massive lay-offs among state workers and other tough social measures to reduce both the budget deficit and improve Hungary's competitiveness.

1 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。

2 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。

3 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。

4 demise   

n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让

参考例句：

• He praised the union's aims but predicted its early demise.他赞扬协会的目标，但预期这一协会很快会消亡。
• The war brought about the industry's sudden demise.战争道致这个行业就这么突然垮了。

5 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。

6 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

8 mentor   

n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导

参考例句：

• He fed on the great ideas of his mentor.他以他导师的伟大思想为支撑。
• He had mentored scores of younger doctors.他指导过许多更年轻的医生。

9 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

10 rhetoric   

n.修辞学，浮夸之言语

参考例句：

• Do you know something about rhetoric?你懂点修辞学吗？
• Behind all the rhetoric,his relations with the army are dangerously poised.在冠冕堂皇的言辞背后，他和军队的关系岌岌可危。

11 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。