Dangerous Warning for Major demonstrations in Greece Against Compromise with Macedonia

By Deutsche Welle

It was the biggest demonstration in Greek postwar history: Over a million people protested in February 1992, in Thessaloniki, against a possible compromise in the dispute over Macedonia's name. This was followed by a government crisis in Athens: former conservative Prime Minister Konstantin Mitsotakis dismissed Foreign Minister in his cabinet Antonis Samaras, who was considered a strongline representative, but later the prime minister himself had to resign.

His successor, Andreas Papandreou, proved steadfast and temporarily imposed a trade embargo against the neighboring country. Today Athens still insists on the demand, that the neighbouring country change the name “Republic of Macedonia” anchored in the constitution. Greeks claim the name Macedonia as part of historical heritage and fear also territorial claims on the Greek province of the same name.

Searching for a Compromise

Meanwhile, Greeks have withdrawn from the rigid position. It has long been accepted for the neighboring country to use a name containing the Macedonian name “ ”. Left Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will hold up this line. After a new round of UN-mediated talks became known, that the government in Athens accepts compromise on the name “Gorna Makedonija” (Great Macedonia).

But immediately the demonstrators return to the scene: In late January there were protest manifestations in Thessaloniki on Sunday (04.02) protests in the capital, Athens. An initiative named “operates as an organiser Macedonian associations”, which claims to take care of the Greek traditions of the Macedonia region. “will be a patriotic manifestation, the name Macedonia is not subject to discussion”, warns the association's representative in a television interview.

Nationalists Tolerated

Political science researcher Levteris Koussoulis believes that the relaunching of demonstrations is a typical part of Greek fray, which is hardened between stagnation and passion. Some of the “in this country feel connected in an especially outdated way to history. They are trapped in the past and don't understand, that the world is walking ahead of”, criticises Koussoulis in conversation with DW.

Protest in Thessalonica, 21.01,2018

Headaches simultaneously trigger the possibility of participation of right-wing populists and nationalists in the manifestation. MPs from the far-right extremist Golden Dawn party staged protests on the streets of Thessaloniki, however, stood firm with political demands. Asked whether Golden Dawn's participation will be tolerated even at the protest in Athens, Bitakou organiser said, the protest is open to all those who want to “overlap” their homeland.

Irritation has also caused the right-wing pop defence minister, Panos Kamenos, who refuses compromise in the dispute over Macedonia's name, but also follows developments with an unusual silence. He himself is abroad and will not be able to attend. Members of his party will protest as mere <x0 selector”. As the coalition's smallest partner under Prime Minister Tsipras, Kamenos is in dilemma. If he fails to release, he risks the narrow parliamentary majority of the coalicion. If he accepts compromise he will disappoint his public.

Ventil for popular indignation

However, organisers have been taken care of, so that Sunday they do not allow on the right-wing platform. So far, the main referencers will be constitutionalist Giorgos Kassimatis, as well as composer Mikis Theodorakis. In a recent public statement, the left-wing idol warned, lest there be any contradictions in the name dispute. “Remembering Yugoslavia is still fresh, our country will be the next victim to”, said Theodorakis, who has recently been spotted even for his anti-Semitic statements. Since he is 92 years old engaged in patriotic manifestations, some commentators consider him surprising.

However, politician Koussoulis does not believe that Sunday there will be a nationalist manifestation. “This protest movement has a nationalist root, yet it will be supported by many people and interpreted in different ways, and primarily as a means of protest against government policy in general”, the analyst thinks. Macedonia's case as a vent for popular indignation against leftist Prime Minister Tsipras? This too is apparently possible. I'll be in the square on Sunday because I want to protest government policy”, the conservative radio moderator Ares Portosalte declares. Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis declares, that everyone should decide on their own whether to demonstrate on Sunday or not. But he leaves it open whether he himself will go to protest or not.