Tsipras’ junior coalition government partner, Independent Greeks (ANEL) made it clear that they will down vote an agreement with FYROM if it contains the term “Macedonia.” In an extraordinary press conference on Tuesday morning, ANEL leader and Defense Minister, Panos Kammenos, said: We are clear, we do not agree and we will not vote in favor.
Kammenos also threatened to expel his own lawmakers form the party, should they vote in favor of the agreement.
“Whoever considers to change his opinion, he/she should leave the party now,” Kammenos warned stressing that he will impose “party discipline” on the issue.
He suggested that also the FYROM Palriament will not vote in favor of the agreement.
The leader of ANEL chose to remain in the government and down vote the Macedonia agreement instead of leaving.
“I will not bring down the government now that Greece exits the bailout agreements,” he said.
Depending on how many votes will be needed to pass the Macedonia agreement through the Palriament, the missing votes of Kammenos may do have an impact. So far, to Potami but also Movement of Change (PASOK) have expressed a support to an agreement. Main opposition party, conservative New Democracy, keeps playing its own political game with the issue but currently it seems it will not vote in favor of an agreement with the term “Macedonia.”
Media cheered that Greece and FYROM were just a step away from the final agreement on Monday after Prime Minister, Zoran Zaef, called his counterpart, Alexis Tsipras.
A second phone call was supposed to take place on Tuesday morning but has been postponed for the afternoon due to time difference as UN Special Envoy Mathew Nimetz has to be briefed on the issue as well.
According to Greek media, after the phone call that is expected to seal the agreement, Prime Minister Tsipras will visit the President of the Republic, will brief the leaders of the political parties and will address the nation in the evening.
The Greek side let know that the agreement was so close as Zaef had only to pick a name among the proposed 5 for FYROM.
However, Zaef said Tuesday noon, “we have no agreement yet.” Stressing that there are several names on the table and that he would wait before making any announcement, he stressed though, he hoped there was something positive to announce today.
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 made it clear that they will down vote an agreement with FYROM if it contains the term "Macedonia." In an extraordinary press conference on Tuesday morning, ANEL leader and Defense Minister, Panos Kammenos, said: We are clear, w){kind=link}