Macedonia votes in name change referendum in bid to end decades of conflict with Greece

'Yes' result could aid Skopje's Nato and EU ambitions, but early turnout figures suggest significant boycott

Macedonians went to the polls on Sunday for a vote on whether change their country’s name to North Macedonia, a move that could end decades of dispute with neighbouring Greece.

Citizens will decide whether to accept the deal, initially brokered between the two nations in June, which could potentially open the door to Macedonian membership of Nato and the European Union.

Tension have existed between Greece and Macedonia since the latter declared its independence from Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, with the former believing the name implies territorial ambitions on its own province of the same name.

The dispute had led Greece to block its neighbour’s efforts to join Nato in the past, a barrier to Macedonia’s membership of the military alliance supporters of the agreement hope will be removed.

However, the deal has faced opposition on both sides of the border, including from Macedonian president Giorge Ivanov, who has urged a boycott, describing the vote as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty”.

Early reports from electoral officials suggest the vast majority of the electorate have indeed stayed away, with a reported turnout of just 16 per cent on Sunday afternoon six hours before polls closed.

The referendum is non-binding, meaning the government could take the outcome as a fair reflection of public opinion regardless of turnout.

Under the country's constitution, a binding referendum would need a minimum turnout of 50 per cent.

Supporters of the deal, led by Macedonia’s prime minister Zoran Zaev, have focused on the vote on being key to its ability to join Nato and, eventually, the EU.

It would be a major step for a country that less than two decades ago almost descended into civil war, when some in its ethnic Albanian minority took up arms against the government, seeking greater rights.

Mr Zaev cast his ballot in the southeastern town of Strumica and urged his fellow citizens to ensure a strong turnout.

“I invite everyone to come out and make this serious decision for the future of our country, for future generations,” he said.

“I expect a massive vote, a huge turnout to confirm the multi-ethnic nature of this country and the political unity of this country.”

In Skopje, the nation’s capital, Djose Tanevski was among the early voters casting their ballot.

“I came here because of the future of our children, who should have a decent life, a life in a lovely country, which will become a member of the European Union and Nato,” he said.

However, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for the referendum.

“I'm disappointed with all that is happening with Macedonia,” said Bojan Krstevski. “I cannot give up my Macedonian identity. I don't want to be North Macedonian.”

The poll has stirred strong interest in the West, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US defence secretary James Mattis among top foreign officials to have visited Skopje recently to back the “Yes” side.

Russia, however, is not keen on Nato expanding in a part of Europe once under its sphere of influence. General Mattis said there was “no doubt” that Moscow had funded groups inside Macedonia to campaign against the name change.

Additional reporting by AP