Reporting From Skopje On The Macedonia Name Deal

Anti-Zaev, anti-name deal protest camp across the street from the Macedonian parliament in Skopje

SKOPJE, Macedonia — As a follow-up to my recent reporting from Thessaloniki, the capital of the Greek Macedonian region, I headed over to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia/FYROM, this week to get perspectives from locals on the deal that could soon change the name of their country from Macedonia to North Macedonia.

Outside the Macedonian parliament, there is a protest camp set up, where daily demonstrations are taking place and protesters are equating the Zoran Zaev government's name deal with Greece to "genocide."

A sign equating a "yes" vote in the upcoming Macedonian name referendum to genocide

Clearly, there is anger toward Zaev over negotiating a deal that would change the name of the country. Protesters allege Zaev is sacrificing Macedonian culture in exchange for obtaining a path toward NATO and EU membership.

But do most Macedonians (in FYROM) share this sentiment? I have spoken with lots of locals — who have expressed a variety of opinions on the issue. You will be able see interview footage with them in an upcoming report from Skopje. Stay tuned to this @freemanreporter Steemit account...

And if you want a refresher as to what this whole name dispute between Greece and Macedonia is all about, watch my initial report from Thessaloniki: