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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/30/macedonia-to-vote-on-name-change-and-ending-greek-dispute
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| Macedonians begin voting on whether to rename country | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Macedonians are voting on Sunday whether to accept a landmark deal ending a decades-long dispute with neighbouring Greece by changing their country’s name to North Macedonia. | Macedonians are voting on Sunday whether to accept a landmark deal ending a decades-long dispute with neighbouring Greece by changing their country’s name to North Macedonia. |
| Supporters say the deal, signed in June, would pave the way for Nato and possibly European Union membership, ending a dispute dating from the early 1990s when Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia. | Supporters say the deal, signed in June, would pave the way for Nato and possibly European Union membership, ending a dispute dating from the early 1990s when Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia. |
| Greece had argued that name implied territorial ambitions over its own province of the same name, and blocked the country’s efforts to join Nato. | Greece had argued that name implied territorial ambitions over its own province of the same name, and blocked the country’s efforts to join Nato. |
| But the agreement has faced vocal opposition on both sides of the border. Opponents in Macedonia have called for a boycott of Sunday’s referendum and include the country’s president, Gjorge Ivanov, who calls the deal a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”. | But the agreement has faced vocal opposition on both sides of the border. Opponents in Macedonia have called for a boycott of Sunday’s referendum and include the country’s president, Gjorge Ivanov, who calls the deal a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”. |
| Voters were asked the question: “Are you in favour of membership in Nato and European Union by accepting the deal between (the) Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?” | Voters were asked the question: “Are you in favour of membership in Nato and European Union by accepting the deal between (the) Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?” |
| The referendum is non-binding, allowing the government to take the outcome as a fair reflection of public opinion regardless of the turnout. Under the country’s constitution, a binding referendum would need a minimum turnout of 50%. | The referendum is non-binding, allowing the government to take the outcome as a fair reflection of public opinion regardless of the turnout. Under the country’s constitution, a binding referendum would need a minimum turnout of 50%. |
| Supporters of the deal, led by the prime minister, Zoran Zaev, have focused on the vote being the key to the country’s future prosperity. | Supporters of the deal, led by the prime minister, Zoran Zaev, have focused on the vote being the key to the country’s future prosperity. |
| Zaev cast his ballot in the south-eastern town of Strumica and called on his fellow citizens to ensure a strong turnout. | Zaev cast his ballot in the south-eastern town of Strumica and called on his fellow citizens to ensure a strong turnout. |
| “I invite everyone to come out and make this serious decision for the future of our country, for future generations,” Zaev said. “I expect a massive vote, a huge turnout to confirm the multi-ethnic nature of this country and the political unity of this country, no matter which party they are coming from.” | “I invite everyone to come out and make this serious decision for the future of our country, for future generations,” Zaev said. “I expect a massive vote, a huge turnout to confirm the multi-ethnic nature of this country and the political unity of this country, no matter which party they are coming from.” |
| If the “yes” vote wins, the next step is for the government to amend parts of the country’s constitution. Only after those changes are approved by the Macedonian parliament does the deal face ratification in Greece. | If the “yes” vote wins, the next step is for the government to amend parts of the country’s constitution. Only after those changes are approved by the Macedonian parliament does the deal face ratification in Greece. |
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