Thousands protest as Greek parliament delays Macedonia vote

Thousands of people have demonstrated in Greece's main cities and on the country's northern border against a historic deal to end a decades-long name dispute with Macedonia.

Police said more than 2,000 protesters gathered outside parliament in Athens on Thursday, as legislators debated the agreement reached between the two countries last year which would see the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) renaming itself North Macedonia, and Greece lifting objections to its northern neighbour joining NATO and the European Union

The vote in the Greek parliament to approve the name change was expected to take place on Thursday evening, but was pushed to Friday Jan 25,2019 amid heated debates.

The change in name would put to rest a 27-year dispute over the name Macedonia after ratifying the Prespes Agreement reached last June between the two countries.

The Greek population fears the use of the word Macedonia could lead to territorial claims over Greece's eponymous northern province and an appropriation of Greek cultural heritage, allegations which Macedonia has denied

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras seems to have secured the support of at least 151 deputies in the 300-seat house to get the deal approved, but opinion polls have shown most Greeks oppose the term "Macedonia" being used in any agreement.