| Author (Corporate) | Cardiff EDC (Compiler) |
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| Publication Date | 2018-2019 |
| Content Type | Overview |
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Summary: Reports and analysis of the formal endorsement by national institutions in Greece and FYR Macedonia of the agreement between the countries on changing the latter's formal designation to North Macedonia (Severna Makedonija) - the so-called Prespes (or Prespa) Agreement. Further information: The formal procedures started following a referendum held in FYR Macedonia on the name change. Due to low voter turnout, its favourable outcome was not formally binding. Nonetheless, the country's Parliament went ahead with the required constitutional changes which would formally alter the name. This was a lengthy and difficult process, requiring several rounds of voting and a majority of two-thirds in the chamber. The first round ocurred on 19 October and the final round on 11 January, successfully endorsing the name change. As members of Parliament voted in the last round, protesters outside denounced what they called an act of treason. The adoption of the deal was welcome by several international stakeholders. Following the formal adoption of the agreement by Macedonian lawmakers, the Greek Parliament was also called to formally ratify the text. The government's coalition did not survive the vote, due to a lack of agreement between the Prime Minister's left-wing SYRIZA Party and the nationalist ANEL Party, the junior political force in the cabinet. A vote of confidence on the government was called as a result and eventually won by the government on 16 January. Ahead of the parliamentary vote on the ratification of the document, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Athens to protest against the agreement. The protests eventually turned into violence. On 25 January, the Greek Parliament ratified the agreement. This was followed by protests across the country, but also welcome by several international stakeholders. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Subject Tags | Bilateral Relations, National Politics |
| Countries / Regions | Greece, North Macedonia |
