Name deal to play pivotal role in 2019

With national elections looming in Greece in 2019, the name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is expected to play a pivotal role.

FYROM's parliament is expected to ratify the deal, also known as the Prespes agreement, by January 15 at the latest, which means that the ball will be in the court of Greek lawmakers.

The general elections are, according to analysts, expected to take place in either March or May and will to a large degree be determined by the developments regarding the deal, as well as by the reaction to the government's handouts in January - including a hike in the minimum wage. Moreover, the government hopes to profit politically from Greece being able to tap international markets in coming months.

Another pivotal factor will be the outcome of negotiations between the government and religious authorities on relations between...