The Guardian: The Macedonians will say yes to change the name

North. It's just a four-letter word, but in Macedonia it's been filling the debate lines, talking about cafes and pages of online abuses, writes The Guardian, the Periscope.

The referendum at the end of the month will ask citizens if they are willing to add that word to the country's official name, becoming subjects of the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

The change is part of an agreement between Macedonia and Greece signed by the respective prime ministers in June. Greece has long blocked Macedonia's membership in Natto and the European Union, claiming its neighbour's name was an inappropriate takeover of the Greek region of Macedonia.

The Macedonian foreign minister says one generation has already been lost, and must be careful not to lose another. We lost a generation. I am 45 years old, and I was 18 when Macedonia became independent. In a way this is our second chance to get out,” he said.

Government critics say the question itself is manipulated because it links the name with Macedonia's EU membership -- a thing that is unlikely to happen.

The deal is being rejected by nationalists as well as in Greece, but even in Macedonia, though polls show citizens will still vote on the agreement.

A problem that is currently added is Russia, which is supporting the discour against voting the name in Macedonia. Even by making the voices against them stronger. /Periscopi