Low voter turnout at FYROM referendum

A referendum on changing the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to "Republic of North Macedonia" to pave the way for NATO membership attracted tepid voter participation Sunday, with turnout standing below 29 percent two hours before polls close.

Citizens in FYROM were voting on whether to accept a government deal with Greece to end a dispute dating from the early 1990s, when the country declared independence from Yugoslavia. Greece argued that its small neighbor's name implied territorial ambitions on its own Macedonia province and blocked the country's efforts to join NATO.

But the agreement has faced vocal opposition on both sides of the border, with detractors accusing their respective governments of conceding too much to the other side.

In FYROM, those opposing the deal urged voters to boycott Sunday's referendum. The critics included...