Tsipras survives motion distrust

athens - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has survived a vote of no confidence in parliament. This clears the way for signing the historic agreement with neighboring Macedonia. This republic of the former Yugoslavia then goes through life under the name Northern Macedonia.

The opposition party's attempt to tackle Nea Dimokratia Tsipras got support from 127 deputies, 153 voted against. In Greece, the agreement, as well as in Macedonia, met with a lot of resistance. Thousands of people protested outside the parliament on Saturday and called for the resignation of Tsipras, which they thought was far too lenient. The riot police deployed tear gas to prevent the demonstrators from entering the building.

The deal will be sealed Sunday by the Foreign Ministers of both countries. This happens in the Prespes region, a lake area on the border with Albania and Macedonia. Tsipras and his Macedonian colleague Zoran Zaev will also be present. After the ratification, the parliaments still have to give their approval. Macedonia also wants to hold a plebiscite.

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