• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Infographics
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Infographics
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana
No Result
View All Result

Macedonia referendum: Name change vote fails to reach threshold

Jonas NyaborbyJonas Nyabor
October 1, 2018
Reading Time: 3 mins read
ShareShareShareShare

Macedonia’s vote on changing its name to North Macedonia looks to have fallen far short of the turnout required.

Preliminary results show that just over a third of Macedonians voted in the referendum, with 50% needed.

But with 90% of those who took part in favour of the change, the country’s prime minister has urged parliament to “confirm the will of the majority”.

The vote aimed to end a long-running dispute with Greece, which has its own region called Macedonia.

Athens had agreed to end its objections to Macedonia’s EU and Nato membership bids if the change was passed.

Over 85% of votes have been counted so far, but a campaign by some nationalists – including the country’s president – to boycott Sunday’s referendum seems to have had an impact, with just 36% of eligible voters taking part.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev threatened to call early elections if parliament did not support the proposal, made non-binding by the poor turnout.

“If, as we all expect, we truly have a big visible, tangible majority for [voting in favour], out of those who voted, then the future is clear,” he said after polls closed on Sunday.

“The vote of the MPs in parliament must resolutely be a vote for a responsible acceleration of the processes towards Nato and the European Union.”

Why the change of name?

Macedonia declared independence during the break-up of Yugoslavia in 1991. But Greece objected to its new neighbour’s name.

The dispute harks back to ancient history, because both present-day Macedonia and northern Greece were part of a Roman province called Macedonia. And both claim the heritage of Alexander the Great two centuries earlier.

Greece’s objections forced the UN to refer to the new country as “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”.

Athens also vetoed Macedonia’s attempt to join Nato in 2008 – and blocked its EU membership ambitions.

What was the proposed solution?

The addition of one word to Macedonia’s constitutional name: North.

Since 1991, many suggestions have been proposed, then rejected. But last year’s change of government in Macedonia finally brought the start of serious negotiations.

“Our citizens were sick of that problem,” says Macedonia’s information minister, Damjan Manchevski. “It had been weighing on Macedonia for such a long period of time and not letting us advance.”

What’s in it for Macedonia?

Greece will end its veto on Macedonia’s accession to Nato and the EU.

“We don’t change our name because we want to do it,” Mr Zaev told the BBC. “We do it because of our future in the EU and Nato. Everyone is aware why we do it.”

That applies particularly to Macedonia’s younger citizens.

“Young people in Macedonia are a quarter of the population – and they’re one of the largest marginalised groups,” says Dona Kosturanova of the Youth Educational Forum.

“They’re struggling with poor education, high unemployment and few opportunities for prosperity. They’re desperate to see advancement towards a prosperous environment.”

What are the objections?

Opponents say the country has been bullied by Greece and the EU, pointing to the fact that top European politicians urged the voters to back the change.

The leader of the main opposition party, Hristijan Mickoski, was quoted as saying that the proposed deal “will humiliate Macedonia”.

President Gjorge Ivanov was among those who said they would be boycotting the vote. He described the proposed deal as “historical suicide”.

Meanwhile, Russia has been accused of fomenting opposition to the name change to stop Macedonia drifting into the West’s orbit. Moscow denies the claim.

ShareTweetSendSend
Previous Post

Lana Del Rey confronts Kanye West over support for Donald Trump

Next Post

The scientific reason you may suffer from worse colds than others

Related Posts

Top Stories

NDC primaries: Voting underway in some constituencies

May 13, 2023
Politics

We’ll fish out NDC MPs who voted for Akufo-Addo’s new ministers – Yamin

March 28, 2023
Politics

This is how MPs voted for Akufo-Addo’s six new ministers

March 24, 2023
Top Stories

#NDCDecides: Voting ends; counting underway

December 18, 2022
Top Stories

Nana Addo to speak on 30th anniversary of 1992 constitution approval

April 28, 2022
Showbiz

Voting for Entertainment Achievement Awards closes on March 20

March 19, 2021
Next Post

The scientific reason you may suffer from worse colds than others

TOP STORIES

#OccupyJulorbiHouse demo: We’re not against demonstrations – Police

September 24, 2023

Adunyame Foundation empowers young girls at Tesano Cluster of Schools

September 24, 2023

Provide evidence to back bribery allegations – Issah Fuseini dares Barker-Vormawor

September 24, 2023
Load More
ADVERTISEMENT
Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana

CitiNewsroom.com is Ghana's leading news website that delivers high quality innovative, alternative news that challenges the status quo.

Archives

Download App

Download

Download

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Photo Gallery
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Citi TV

© 2023 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Showbiz
  • Opinion
  • Infographics
  • Listen To CitiFM
  • Videos

© 2023 All Rights Reserved Citi Newsroom.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT