Ratifying the deal and beyond

Whether it receives 151 votes in Greece's 300-seat legislature or not, the Prespes accord deal is expected to be ratified by Parliament. As it turns out, a deal that was signed to heal the wound that is the name dispute between Athens and Skopje will inevitably open fresh wounds.

If Parliament fails to ratify it, everything that has happened until now will collapse because of Greece and the country will be the black sheep in the eyes of its allies - the Europeans and the Americans - who will see the Prespes failure as their own defeat before putting the blame on Athens. Greece will then be expected to foot the bill given that the name dispute is connected to broader geopolitical plans in the Balkans.

If, as expected, the deal is voted through, the impact will be huge on all levels. Society is already deeply divided. Ratifying the deal will deepen this division....