PakNews: Clashes in Athens as tens of thousands protest Macedonian name deal

Monday, 21 January 2019

Clashes in Athens as tens of thousands protest Macedonian name deal

Clashes broke out between police and a group of masked protesters in Athens on Sunday as tens of thousands demonstrated against a name change deal with neighbouring Macedonia that the Greek parliament is due to ratify in days. The violence flared as Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attempts to face down a political storm over his championing of a landmark agreement with Macedonia aimed at ending a 27-year dispute with Athens over the country's name. Police estimates put the number of demonstrators at 60,000 while organisers said 100,000 people had arrived for the rally, with hundreds of buses bringing demonstrators, especially from the region of northern Greece that also claims the Macedonia name.