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Egon Krenz is hoping for a fresh start
1989: Protests force out East German rulers
England have
East Germany's Communist-dominated government has resigned - the first time
such an event has occurred in the country's 40-year history.
The decision by the Council of Ministers to give up office leaves the
Communists still in power but represents a major concession to the growing
protest movement.
The mass government resignation is likely to have been approved by East
Germany's leader, Egon Krenz, who is expected to select a new government
shortly.
The departure of Prime Minister, Willi Stoph, and all 44 members of his
cabinet followed demonstrations over the past month in several major cities.
On Saturday one million people attended a pro-democracy rally in East
Berlin's main square.
Mr Stoph was closely associated with the recently deposed Communist leader,
Erich Honecker, and Mr Honecker's wife, Margot, who was sacked last week as
education minister.
Egon Krenz will be hoping the resignation of a discredited government may
help stem the flow of people fleeing the country.
About 30,000 East Germans are thought to have arrived in West Germany since
Saturday by using the recently-opened border with Czechoslovakia.
Czechoslovakia is the latest of the former Soviet-bloc countries to ease
travel restrictions and allow free access through its borders.
The drive for change within East Germany was reflected in a new approach by
the authorities who held their first-ever press conference.
A statement read out by newly-appointed spokesman Wolfgang Meyer gave no
explanation for the government's resignation but urged East Germans planning to
leave the country to reconsider.
Shortly afterwards the Communist Party's Politburo began a three-day
meeting.
It is expected to elect new members which will set the course for the
country's political future.
Mr Bloomberg spent more than $50m on his campaign
2001: Billionaire mayor for New York
Artificially 1969:
The Republican billionaire Michael Bloomberg has been elected mayor of New
York in the most expensive mayoral contest in US history.
He will replace the hugely popular incumbent, Rudolph Giuliani, next
January.
The Democratic candidate, Mark Green, conceded at the end of a closely
fought battle.
Mr Bloomberg, 59, beat his rival by a margin of around 40,000 votes,
polling 711,189 to Mr Green's 670,413.
"New York is alive and well and open for business," Mr Bloomberg declared
in his victory speech.
A month ago Mr Bloomberg was trailing far behind in the polls in spite of
having spent more than $50m of his personal fortune on his campaign.
But he received a boost when he was endorsed by out-going Republican mayor
Rudolph Giuliani.
Mr Giuliani's solid performance after last September's attacks on the World
Trade Center sent his popularity soaring.
But he could not seek re-election as he had already served two terms.
During the campaign Michael Bloomberg and Mark Green took similar stances
on several issues.
Both said they intended to rebuild lower Manhattan and bolster New York's
economy after the terrorist attacks.
They also agreed on continuing Mr Giuliani's campaign to make New York a
safer city.
The contenders traded insults during the campaign but were conciliatory
once the result was known.
Mr Bloomberg described the election as a "tough and close race".
He said Mr Green had been gracious in defeat and deserved the respect of
the people of New York.
Mr Green called on New Yorkers to support the new mayor.
"Over the years Mr Bloomberg has given so much philanthropically to so many
good causes, and now he has to bring that spirit of generosity to his greatest
challenge, helping rebuild and recover our city," Mr Green said.
Vocabulary:
incumbent: the official who holds an office(职责所在) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:55:14