Tension mounts between foreign minister, ANEL

Cracks with the ruling coalition appeared again on Thursday, with junior partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) taking issue with Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias over his remarks that the Macedonia name deal should be ratified by the present Parliament. 

Kotzias made his comments during a press conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, making it clear that the government intends to ratify the deal before its four-year term in office ends - even if that means doing it without ANEL. Maximos Mansion believes the government would survive if ANEL and independent MPs submit a censure motion against it. 

"The majority [in Parliament] are for the ratification of the agreement," Kotzias said, adding that SYRIZA, To Potami and many independent lawmakers have expressed backing for the deal.

He said he expects FYROM to wrap up the agreement by January, paving the...

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