In Greece, the deeply unpopular deal immediately negatively impacted Tsipras`s chances of staying in power. [35] According to the separate polls of Mark and Ekathimerini, between 65% [36] and 68%[37] of Greeks were opposed to the Prespes agreement and what it contained. [38] In 2018 and 2019, there were large public demonstrations against the Prespes agreement in Athens[39] and Thessaloniki, which lasted for days. [40] There were also huge sit-ins of students in central Macedonia in 210 schools in central Macedonia. Despite the riot, protesters were accused of having links to far-right fascists. [41] The famous composer and leftist Mikis Theodorakis, who also opposed the Prespes agreement, called the Syriza government a “left-wing fascist”. [42] The withdrawal of the Greek veto led the European Union to authorise, on 27 June, the opening of accession negotiations with the Republic of Macedonia to begin next year, subject to the implementation of the Prespa agreement and the modification of the country`s constitutional name in the Republic of Northern Macedonia. [62] On 5 July, the Prespa agreement was again ratified by the Macedonian Parliament and 69 MEPs voted in favour. [63] On 11 July, NATO invited Macedonia to begin accession negotiations to become the 30th member of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance. [64] [7] “Mala Prespa, Golo Brdo – Pogradec since 1913 – Macedonians in Albania,” Makedonija [recalled 21 December 2018]. A June 2020 poll by the National Democratic Institute in Northern Macedonia showed that 58% of Macedonians supported the Prespa agreement and that there was also strong public support for the country`s Euro-Atlantic orientation, with 74% positive views for NATO (member of Northern Macedonia since 27 March 2020) and 79% positive opinions for EU membership.

[125] [126] While the overwhelming majority of Greeks (6 to 7 out of 10 according to various polls) strongly opposed any compromise on this issue, most political parties, some of which ultimately voted against the agreement (9 out of 10 MPs in the current parliament), have long expressed their support for a compromise solution with a composite name that would include a geographical qualification for Macedonia. As a result, there is a clear discrepancy between the views of Greek society and the positions of its elected representatives.