Macedonians are voting on Sunday whether to accept a landmark deal ending a decades-long dispute with neighbouring Greece by changing their country’s name to North Macedonia, The Guardian reported.

Supporters say the deal, signed in June, would pave the way for Nato and possibly European Union membership, ending a dispute dating from the early 1990s when Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia.

Greece had argued that name implied territorial ambitions over its own province of the same name, and blocked the country’s efforts to join Nato.

But the agreement has faced vocal opposition on both sides of the border. Opponents in Macedonia have called for a boycott of Sunday’s referendum and include the country’s president, Gjorge Ivanov, who calls the deal a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”.
Voters were asked the question: “Are you in favour of membership in Nato and European Union by accepting the deal between (the) Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?”

The referendum is non-binding, allowing the government to take the outcome as a fair reflection of public opinion regardless of the turnout. Under the country’s constitution, a binding referendum would need a minimum turnout of 50%.