A Greek prosecutor on Saturday ordered an investigation into allegations that lawmakers from the Independent Greeks party (ANEL) received threats telling them not to vote for the ratification of the Prespa agreement.
Two news websites alleged that a prominent member of the main opposition, the New Democracy party (ND) — which rejects the name deal — called on its members to phone M.P.’s from the nationalist Independent Greeks (ANEL) party to urge them to vote against the agreement.
ANEL is the junior party in Greece’s ruling coalition and strongly opposes the name change, which represents a rift that threatens to destabilize the government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who helped broker the deal.
The New Democracy member allegedly revealed the personal mobile phone numbers of ANEL M.P.’s.
“Terrorizing deputies”
Earlier, the government accused New Democracy of terrorizing M.P.’s not to vote for the Prespa Agreement.
“The New Democracy mechanism, with full knowledge and guidance by its leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, attempts to terrorize the deputies,” the Prime Minister’s press office said on Saturday.
The statement declared that “The deputies will respond by raising their voice in order to defend Greece’s interests.” It then went on to say, “No attempt of violence and terrorism – as some mechanisms are used to making – is going to affect their conscience.”
“ND and Mr. Mitsotakis will have to account for the anti-democratic practice they are following,” it said.
Zaev urges ratification
On Saturday, FYROM’s prime minister, Zoran Zaev, appealed to Greek deputies to ratify the Prespa Agreement.
FYROM’s lawmakers approved the agreement late in the day on Friday. It now needs backing from the Greek parliament to come into force.
“Our parliament found the strength, but it wasn’t easy. But I am convinced that the Greek parliament will also find the strength to make the decision,” Zaev said at a press conference in Skopje.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
