The controversial “Prespes agreement” has caused in Greece for a lot of resentment. Now, the Macedonian question is resolved officially. And the life in Hellas. From Thessaloniki Florian Schmitz reported.
Since Friday afternoon there is clarity for the Greeks is a Central theme of: by a narrow majority in the Athens Parliament ratified the agreement of Prespes. This means that the Northern neighbour will rename in Northern Macedonia, and a nearly 30-year-old name dispute to be shelved. In the far-away Athens, the topic is only marginally plays a role. In Thessaloniki, the capital of the Greek Region of Macedonia, but it weighs heavy – especially emotionally.
For the seller of a Bio-shop on the Plateia Athonos in the centre of Thessaloniki, the Routine determines also the weekend after the historic decision of the life. “Somehow had to be a solution found,” she says. However, she is satisfied? “I’m not exactly happy about the fact that you use the name of Macedonia. But what can you do? Now it is so, and life goes on.” Your Store is well visited by tourists. Every weekend many people come to her, and Greek, buy quality products, even people from the neighboring country. Nothing is gonna change that.
Everyday life is back
The Greek-Macedonian border is only about 40 minutes away from Thessaloniki. The many points of contact between the two fossils in conflict Nations are particularly noticeable. Beach tourists and weekend visitors from the North of Macedonia are numerous.
At the Greek-Macedonian border
The many, small Privatunis are full of students from the neighboring country. The trade between the two countries is flourishing. Long ago, Greek companies, such as Jumbo or the fast-food chain goody opened across the border branches. Greeks to the North of Macedonia, for the price value of the gasoline, cost-effective dental treatments or a visit to the casino.
But reality and public perception drift far apart. Nationalism and overzealous Patriotism dominate the discussion – and often the clash between people from the Greek and Slavic Macedonia. Again and again we return to discussion on a key figure: Alexander the Great.
A man from Pella, a village a short distance from Thessaloniki, is outraged over the controversial agreement. Pella was the Empire to the ancient capital of the Macedonian king. From there, Alexander the Great went on his bloody, in Greece as a victory trains per day travelling celebrated wars of conquest. “Everything here is written in Greek. No one from the Northern neighbor country can also read only a single word,” says the man from Pella. For him, the Name of Macedonia is non-negotiable. “They are Slavs. You should have Vardaskar call”, pale. Vardaskar is based on the name of Macedonia, springing river Vardar. National conservative voices in Greece are in favour of this solution.
Louder nationalism – silence is acceptance
The name dispute has promoted in Greece a lot of nationalistic Sentiment to the surface. The big demonstration in Athens last Sunday was a re-reminder that especially the right-wing movements in Greece, get in front of the Background of the “Prespes agreement” inlet. Media reported on Friday of a dispute between Macedonians and two Greeks. The latter stole the Macedonian number plate of the car driver, who was on the way towards the border. In Thessaloniki destroyed by Unknown on the Campus of the Jewish memorial in the city. For months, it regularly comes to smaller parades of right-wing, violent groups, for which the agreement with Macedonia, the high-betrayal of the Greek Nation.
In the run-up to the vote, there were violent protests against the agreement with Macedonia
Most of the people take but little notice of such incidents. Out of fear of violence or Assault, only a Few acknowledge, however, also open to the agreement with Macedonia. “We do not have to deal with other problems?” asks a young student. The native woman from Thessaloniki has enough of the eternal discussions about a name. “We are facing major economic challenges. In many places of the world war. Climate change makes itself felt.” The most is no matter whether the neighboring country name is now Macedonia or not, she says.
The decision to follow the elections
For Prime Minister Tsipras, the historic agreement is a foreign policy success. After the break with the right-wing conservative coalition partner, Anel, he had to rely on votes from the Opposition. The neo-liberal party to Potami supported him. “The Greek Macedonia must fear nothing,” said the party’s Chairman, Stavros Theodorakis, after the vote. The Parliament had taken a decision, the Greek interests support and stability to the Region.
Alexis Tsipras after the vote to change the name – how high the political cost for him?
The leader of the opposition, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke of a difficult day for Greece. “I’m going to try with all my strength, to limit those negative consequences that will result from this agreement.” You would have recognized for the first Time the Macedonian identity and language for the inhabitants of the neighbouring country. So that would have put Tsipras against the will of the people.
Regularly, the Greeks are to be launched in October at the ballot box. For Tsipras, it will show up then, what is the price he has to pay for the historic agreement. On the streets of Thessaloniki, the life takes meanwhile, as usual. Here’s hoping that Winter ends soon. Then the tourists come. And where exactly they come from, plays in the end, Yes, but not a role.