Greece’s Macedonia vote pushed to Friday as debate continues
- Debate on plans by Greece’s neighbour to change its name to North Macedonia had been expected to end late on Thursday night
The Greek parliament’s historic vote on the agreement with the Republic of Macedonia over the latter’s name, was pushed to Friday, with not enough time for all listed lawmakers to speak on Thursday.
The accord is aimed at ending a decades-long dispute and removing an obstacle to the former Yugoslav republic joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union.
About 1,500 police officers took up positions around Athens on Thursday ahead of demonstrations opposing Greece’s ratification of the agreement with Macedonia, which aims to normalise relations after decades of strain.
A four-day parliamentary debate had been due to end late Thursday night with a vote that would finalise plans by Greece’s neighbour to change its name to North Macedonia and further its bid to join Nato.
Opponents argue that the deal does not end a potential territorial threat to Greece’s northern region, also called Macedonia. Greece has been blocking its neighbour’s efforts to join Nato for years over the dispute.
