Today’s focus in Macedonia is on the leaders meeting and the expectations regarding the solution to the name dispute. In the public there are still comments on the possible, new, name of the country Republika Ilindenska Makedonija.

The leaders meeting is being held this afternoon, with President Gjorge Ivanov announcing his presence as well as President of Parliament Talat Xhaferi and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickovski. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev assumes there is a chance for a consensus in regards to the name from all sides of the leaders meeting, but also from Greece. A small group of people are protesting in front of the Parliamentarian’s Club against the negotiations for changing Macedonia’s name.

On the other hand, with reactions and a call for staying calm, the political party Unified Macedonia came out assertively and explained that there are no chances for the name to be changed until July or for Macedonia to join NATO. They also warned that all those who are against Macedonia’s identity and name will be held responsible.

The Besa Movement of Bilal Kasami gave a different explanation regarding the proposal for Macedonia to be Ilindenska. In their announcement they say that such a name is unacceptable because it favors only one ethnic group, with which the Albanians are excluded. This is pointed out by the fact that, as they say from this Besa, only the Macedonian side of VMRO-DPMNE has been invited to the leaders meeting

VMRO-DPMNE, on the other hand, resentful, today in addition to the name also focused on former leader Nikola Gruevski and the expectation of the ruling in the case “Tank”. They accused that the judiciary is corrupt and selective, and for comparison pointed to the case “Bribery” in which Zoran Zaev is accused.

In terms of the name, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras informed all political factors in Greece about the meeting and talks with Zaev in Sofia and about the talks in Macedonia about Republika Ilindenska Makedonija.

The focus of those who are looking a bit farther from Macedonia and the Macedonian issues is turned to the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which can be followed live also on the Macedonian electronic media.

Biljana Jordanovska