Parliament opened a two-day debate on ratifying the so-called Prespes Agreement, a UN mediated deal between Athens and Skopje changing the latter’s name to Republic of North Macedonia. Parliament is expected to ratify the name accord as Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras appears to have secured the support of at least 151 lawmakers in the 300-seat house. Tens of thousands of people rallied against the settlement in Athens on Sunday, arguing that it leaves room for territorial claims over Greece’s largest northern province of Macedonia. Macedonia PM urges Greek MPs to ratify name dealGeorge Koumoutsakos, parliamentary spokesperson for opposition New Democracy, criticized the government for settling on a ‘nationally damaging’ deal and forfeiting its bargaining power. New Democracy has been critical that the deal grants Macedonian ethnicity, and recognizes the existence of a Macedonian language.

Source: The Express Tribune January 23, 2019 13:02 UTC