Leaders in storm over deal on Macedonia

THE PRIME Ministers of Greece and Macedonia both face political storms at home, two days after reaching a historic deal to settle a decades-old dispute over Macedonia’s name.

Greece’s Alexis Tsipras faces a vote of no-confidence in his government, while Macedonia’s Zoran Zaev is contending with the refusal of his president to sign off the deal if it is approved by parliament.

The pair agreed that the former Yugoslav republic should be renamed North Macedonia, ending a disagreement that had prevented it from joining international institutions such as Nato and had poisoned bilateral relations since the early 1990s.

But the dispute has roused strong nationalist sentiment in both countries. Critics on both sides were furious, accusing their respective prime ministers of conceding too much.

Greece has long demanded that its northern neighbour change its name, saying the term “Macedonia” implies territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name, birthplace of the ancient warrior king Alexander the Great, and usurps ancient Greek heritage and history.

Opponents in Greece object to any use of the term “Macedonia” in their northern neighbour’s name.

Critics in Macedonia see any modification of the country’s name as a threat to their national identity.

In Athens, Mr Tsipras faces a direct challenge to his left-led coalition government’s survival after main opposition group New Democracy submitted a motion for a no-confidence vote.

Mr Tsipras has a four-seat majority in the 300-member parliament, but the name deal has led to a rift within the government.