The battle for Macedonia, why is there so much support for Prime Minister Zaev?

In an interview with Agent France-Presse, Zaev nearly conveyed an ultimatum to them, with shades of pressure, when he said that either accept the name of the new state, or “face instability and isolation in the future”.

However, Zaev voiced confidence that Macedonians will be able to make the right choice that day.

“ Zaev told AFP.

The question in the referendum is: “Are you for membership in the European Union and NATO by accepting the agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece?

All this development is seen as a next battle between the West and Russia for influence in the region.

A poll conducted by the US-funded Research Centre in July showed that 57 per cent of respondents back the name change.

European and American leaders have also called on Macedonians to accept the new name, because they see it as a way to place this state firmly in the western sphere and to stop Russia's influence there, different media comment. And the whole international factor looks to Macedonia.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis will be in Skopje this Monday for him “shown support for Macedonia's NATO bid and continued American engagement for peace and security in the region in”, The Pentagon said.

Mattis, earlier this week, found he was concerned about Russia's alleged efforts to stop Macedonia's path towards NATO.

Moscow, in turn, does not accept this approach, but still opposes the Alliance's expansion in the East.

This month, Macedonia was visited by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, secretary general NATO, Jens Stoltenberg and Brussels' chief diplomat, Federica Moghrini.

Support has been given and President Trump in his message of congratulations on the Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia on 8 September.

Agreement between Skopje and Athens Macedonia's “NATO membership will strengthen security, stability and prosperity throughout the region”, Trump said.

“The United States is ready to support Macedonia, especially in the upcoming talks on NATO membership”, The head of the US said.

After the referendum, Macedonians must also change their name to parliament by changing the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority and then Greece will ratify the agreement.

Zaev, a pro-European socialist in terms of changing the name, has a strong opposition in the country, mainly among nationalists.

Since coming to power, he began negotiations in Athens to end a nearly 25-year-old deadlock with the southern neighbour, who did not accept the name “Macedonia” with history-geographic claims. But everything has already been resolved among them by a bilateral agreement at the level of prime ministers, signed earlier in Prespa. The new name will be Republic of Northern Macedonia. But it's not that simple, because it's all going on in the background of an influential effort in the region, where Russia is always eaten by the Western factor. /The Square