Thousands of Greeks are protesting in the center of Athens in Syntagma Square in opposition to their government’s proposed deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on a name settlement.
The Prime Ministers of Greece and FYROM, Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, are scheduled to meet in a spot on Prespes Lake, a body of water in northern Greece that borders both countries and has been chosen for its symbolism.
The two leaders are moving forward with an agreement that will include, amongst other provisions, the changing of FYROM’s name to “Northern Macedonia.” The proposed deal has infuriated people on both sides of the border, including a strong response by Greece’s main opposition party New Democracy.
One member of parliament from the Neo Nazi Golden Dawn party was removed during deliberations when he called on Greece’s military to intervene and hold Tsipras before a firing squad for treason.