Sep 30, 2018

Outcome of Macedonia's name change referendum unclear

Supporters of a boycott for the name-change referendum celebrate in front of the Parliament in Skopje on Sunday. Photo: Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images

Macedonia's citizens overwhelmingly approved a proposal that would change the country's name to the Republic of Northern Macedonia but low turnout due to a boycott by the measure's opponents could threaten its validity, reports the AP.

The details: The Macedonian Constitution requires a minimum turnout of 50% of eligible voters for the referendum be valid, but turnout hovered around 36% after more than 90% of polling stations had reported even as Prime Minister Zoran Zaev hailed the referendum's success. The deal could settle a long-standing diplomatic dispute with its neighbor Greece — potentially paving the way for Macedonia's entry to the EU and NATO.

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