Zimbabwe Approves Constitutional Changes to Presidential Terms and Elections
津巴布韋通過憲法修訂，延長總統任期並更改選舉制度
Introduction
The Zimbabwean Senate has approved several changes to the constitution that extend the president's term and change how the leader is chosen.
津巴布韋參議院已通過幾項憲法修訂，延長了總統的任期，並更改了領導人的選拔方式。
Main Body
The legislative process ended on Wednesday when the Senate approved the amendments with 75 votes in favor and four against. This follows a similar majority vote in the National Assembly, where 216 members supported the bill. The main changes include extending the terms for the president and parliament from five to seven years; consequently, the next general election will be moved from 2028 to 2030. Furthermore, the law changes the system from a direct public vote to a process where parliament selects the president.
立法程序於週三結束，參議院以 75 票贊成、4 票反對通過了相關修訂。此前，國民議會已有 216 名成員支持該法案。主要變更包括將總統與議會的任期從五年延長至七年；因此，下次大選將從 2028 年移至 2030 年。此外，法律將制度從公眾直接投票更改為由議會選出總統。
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration came to power in 2017 after the military removed Robert Mugabe. The ZANU-PF party, which has ruled since 1980, started this revision process last year. While the government emphasized that the two-term limit still exists, opposing groups and lawyers argued that such major changes should require a national referendum.
總統姆南加古瓦及其政府在 2017 年軍方推翻穆加貝後掌權。自 1980 年起執政的津巴布韋非洲民族聯盟- патрио特 (ZANU-PF) 黨於去年啟動了此次修訂程序。雖然政府強調兩任期限制依然存在，但反對團體與律師主張，如此重大變更應需經過全民公投。
At the same time, the political situation has become unstable. Human Rights Watch and other activists have reported that state agents have arrested and harassed people who disagree with the government. Despite these reports and several legal challenges, the courts have not stopped the law from moving forward.
與此同時，政治局勢變得不穩定。人權觀察及其他活動人士報告稱，政府代理逮捕並騷擾不同意政府的人員。儘管有這些報告以及多次法律挑戰，法院仍未阻止該法律的推進。
Conclusion
The amendments will now become law once President Mnangagwa signs them.
只要姆南加古瓦總統簽署，這些修訂將正式成為法律。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'Connector' Jump: Moving from Simple to Sophisticated
At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with and, but, or because. To reach B2, you need Logical Transitions. These are words that tell the reader how two ideas relate, rather than just sticking them together.
🧩 The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently
In the text, we see: "...from five to seven years; consequently, the next general election will be moved..."
- A2 Style: The term is longer, so the election is later.
- B2 Style: The term is longer; consequently, the election is later.
Why it works: "Consequently" signals a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It sounds professional and academic.
🧩 The 'Addition' Bridge: Furthermore
Look at how the author adds a new point: "Furthermore, the law changes the system..."
- A2 Style: And the law changes the system.
- B2 Style: Furthermore, the law changes the system.
Why it works: Instead of a list of facts, "Furthermore" suggests you are building a stronger argument.
🧩 The 'Contrast' Bridge: Despite
This is a tricky one! "Despite these reports... the courts have not stopped the law..."
- A2 Style: There were reports, but the courts did not stop the law.
- B2 Style: Despite the reports, the courts did not stop the law.
⚠️ Pro Tip for B2: After "Despite," you cannot use a full sentence (Subject + Verb). You must use a noun or a phrase.
- ❌ Despite they reported... (Wrong)
- ✅ Despite the reports... (Correct)
Quick Reference Table for your Upgrade
| A2 Word | B2 Upgrade | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| So | Consequently | When one thing leads to another |
| And / Also | Furthermore | Adding a more important point |
| But | Despite / However | Showing a surprising contrast |