Filip Petrovski

A coalition of 28 small right-wing political parties, political factions, civic associations and NGOs are backing a campaign dubbed 'Macedonia Boycotts', whose aim is to foil September's referendum on the historic 'name' agreement with Greece, which is key for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic path.

After formally accepting the resignation of long-standing opposition leader Nikola Gruevski on Sunday night, Macedonia's main opposition right-wing VMRO-DPMNE party is set to elect his successor from several possible contestants. The extraordinary congress is scheduled for December 22-23.

With domestic media outlets coming under increased monitoring for the approaching general elections, Macedonia's ruling parties are resorting to new tactics for the campaign, including opening "news" sites registered in neighbouring countries that spread demonstrably false or completely unproven information.