Greek Opponents Of Macedonia Name Deal Call For Protests Starting Thursday

UrduPoint News / Sputnik The Pan-Macedonian Confederation has announced rallies, starting Thursday, against Greece's deal with Macedonia to change the Balkan nation's name.

A debate on the pact that will rename the neighboring state to the Republic of North Macedonia will begin in parliament on Wednesday and conclude with a vote on Thursday evening.

Many Greeks see the name as a territorial claim to Greece's province of the same name.

"The Pan-Macedonian Confederation will be behind protest rallies on Thursday... They will continue through Sunday," a spokesman for the organization told Sputnik.

The Sunday demonstration will be held in Athens, he said. This will be the second straight weekend of protests in the Greek capital after more than 60,000 rallied there last week. Seven people were detained and 25 officers injured in scuffles.