VOA标准英语2008年-Israeli Ruling Party Votes for New Leader

Israel's ruling centrist Kadima party is holding primary elections that will result in the resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The likely change of leadership will come as Palestinian peace negotiations¹ falter² over the longstanding issues of Jewish settlements and the status of Jerusalem. VOA Jerusalem correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

About 70,000 members of the centrist Kadima party are eligible³ to vote in these primary elections Wednesday. Their party has been shaken by a corruption⁴ scandal that has forced Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to promise he will step down as soon as a new leader is chosen.
　
Tzipi Livni, Israeli Foreign Minister and candidate for Kadima party leadership, gives speech before casting her vote during Kadima elections in Tel Aviv, 17 Sep 2008

The two front-runners are foreign minister Tzipi Livni and transportation minister Shaul Mofaz. Livni's nickname is "Mrs. Clean," a reputation that her supporters hope will win favor among voters tired of corruption in politics. She is also known for her diplomatic skills gained from her experience in negotiating with the Palestinians. She spoke⁵ as she cast her ballot⁶ in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Livni urged Kadima members to vote, saying party members can decide the direction of the party, and show they are tired of what she said are "old-fashioned politics."

Mofaz is a former army chief of staff and defense⁷ minister known for his strong stance on security issues and is expected to draw the votes of party members who favor giving the Palestinians fewer concessions⁸ in the negotiations. He also spoke while voting.

Mofaz said he is confident he will win, thanks to support from those who support his tough stand on security.

One of the Kadima candidates must win at least 40 percent of the vote. Otherwise, these primaries will go into a second round.

Analysts⁹ say the vote might be an indicator¹⁰ of whether Israelis will swing to the right in general elections. The poll may come in the next few months - up to a year-and-a-half ahead of schedule - if the winner in these primaries is unable to form a coalition¹¹ government within a month.

 

1 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。

2 falter   

vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚

参考例句：

• His voice began to falter.他的声音开始发颤。
• As he neared the house his steps faltered.当他走近房子时，脚步迟疑了起来。

3 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

4 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。

5 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

6 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。

7 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

8 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

9 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。

10 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

11 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。