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| Greek PM Tsipras survives confidence vote over Macedonia name deal | Greek PM Tsipras survives confidence vote over Macedonia name deal |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has survived a no-confidence vote over the deal his government made to settle a name dispute with Macedonia. | Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has survived a no-confidence vote over the deal his government made to settle a name dispute with Macedonia. |
| It was tabled by the country's main opposition party, New Democracy, but was rejected by 153 votes to 127. | |
| The result paves the way for an historic signing ceremony on Sunday. | The result paves the way for an historic signing ceremony on Sunday. |
| Mr Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev have agreed that Greece's neighbour will be renamed the Republic of North Macedonia. | Mr Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev have agreed that Greece's neighbour will be renamed the Republic of North Macedonia. |
| The aim of the deal was to distinguish it from a province in northern Greece also called Macedonia. | The aim of the deal was to distinguish it from a province in northern Greece also called Macedonia. |
| The name has been a subject of contention for more than two decades since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, with Athens arguing that by using the name Macedonia the country was implying it had a claim to the Greek region. | The name has been a subject of contention for more than two decades since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, with Athens arguing that by using the name Macedonia the country was implying it had a claim to the Greek region. |
| But opposition figures in Greece argue that Mr Tsipras has made too many concessions in the deal. | But opposition figures in Greece argue that Mr Tsipras has made too many concessions in the deal. |
| On Saturday, protesters angry with the government briefly clashed with police on the steps of the parliament building. | On Saturday, protesters angry with the government briefly clashed with police on the steps of the parliament building. |
| What happens now? | What happens now? |
| Following the vote, the foreign ministers from both countries are expected to meet on the border for a ceremony in which they will sign the agreement. | Following the vote, the foreign ministers from both countries are expected to meet on the border for a ceremony in which they will sign the agreement. |
| Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Macedonia's Nikola Dimitrov will sign the pact on Sunday and both prime ministers will be present. | Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Macedonia's Nikola Dimitrov will sign the pact on Sunday and both prime ministers will be present. |
| But there is still some way to go before the name change becomes official. | But there is still some way to go before the name change becomes official. |
| So could the change be stopped? | So could the change be stopped? |
| Yes, the agreement will have to overcome a few obstacles before it goes through. | Yes, the agreement will have to overcome a few obstacles before it goes through. |
| Macedonia's parliament will first need to back the deal. That would be followed by a referendum in September or October. | Macedonia's parliament will first need to back the deal. That would be followed by a referendum in September or October. |
| If voters there support it, the government would have to change the constitution which is a key Greek demand. | If voters there support it, the government would have to change the constitution which is a key Greek demand. |
| Things have been complicated further as Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov is refusing to sign the agreement. | Things have been complicated further as Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov is refusing to sign the agreement. |
| He has the power to veto the deal - but not indefinitely. | He has the power to veto the deal - but not indefinitely. |
| If he refuses to sign it, it will be sent back to parliament for a second vote. If it passes again, President Ivanov would then be obliged to approve the legislation. | If he refuses to sign it, it will be sent back to parliament for a second vote. If it passes again, President Ivanov would then be obliged to approve the legislation. |
| The deal will finally have to be ratified by the Greek parliament, a process which may also not be straightforward. | The deal will finally have to be ratified by the Greek parliament, a process which may also not be straightforward. |