Pan-Macedonian organisations around Greece are preparing more rallies in Thessaloniki and Athens in the first week of June, as Greece and FYROM are far from a name solution.
As reported by Greek City Times earlier in the week, despite Athens ruling out the name “Republic of Ilinden Macedonia” as an agreed term on the naming dispute with neighbouring FYROM, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said the proposal is still in play. Zaev has recently told reporters that his country “has not dismissed the ‘Republic of Ilinden Macedonia’ proposal” and that it is worth careful consideration, as it fulfils the expectations of most citizens in both countries.
“Republic of Ilinden Macedonia is a name that does not threaten Macedonian identity -on the contrary, it strengthens it- while giving Greece a compound name with a chronological identifier”, the Premier of FYROM explained.
At the same time, the Greek opposition parties have unanimously rejected a possible agreement under the name “Republic of Ilinden Macedonia”, while disagreement has also been expressed by several ruling SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL) MPs.
The organisers are hoping to remind political leaders that the Greek people have made their decision and do not accept any name including the term ‘Macedonia’. The organisers are reportedly the same people who were behind the two rallies in Thessaloniki and Athens last January and February.
