Macedonian Lawmakers Ratify 'Historic' Name Deal With Greece

18:53, 20.06.2018

Macedonia’s parliament has ratified an agreement with Greece to change the former Yugoslav republic’s name at a plenary session that was boycotted by the main opposition party.

Lawmakers on June 20 voted 69-0 to ratify the agreement, which changes the country’s formal name to the Republic of North Macedonia, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The opposition nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party boycotted the session. The draft legislation required a simple majority from the at least 61 deputies required for a quorum.

Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev defended the “historic” accord before the National Assembly, saying it represents a dignified and acceptable solution for both sides.“We did not give up anything to anyone,” Zaev insisted.

Lawmakers on June 19 launched the process of ratifying the accord, as hundreds of protesters gathered in the center of Skopje for a third day to vent anger over the deal.

World

Macedonia

Name Deal