Greek Opposition Parties Reject New Name for FYROM Proposed by Skopje - Reports

Leaders of New Democracy, Movement For Change, The River and the Communist Party of Greece have told Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that they were against the "Republic of Ilinden Macedonia" name, proposed by FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to Tsipras last week, Kathimerini outlet reported. Ruling Greek party Syriza is also expected to object to a potential new name.

Some of the Greek politicians have expressed concern over the political implication of the name, which evokes the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire when the republic was briefly proclaimed, and the foundation of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia in 1944. Ilinden, or the Day of the Republic, is a national holiday in FYROM.

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The parliament in FYROM is expected to hold a vote on the "Republic of Ilinden Macedonia" name, which stands a good chance of being approved, by the end of June, according to the outlet.

Greece objects to FYROM naming itself simply the Republic of Macedonia as the country borders a Greek region also named Macedonia. Some nationalist groups in Greece believe that FYROM is trying to appropriate Greek heritage.

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Athens has insisted that the neighboring country add a qualifier before "Macedonia" so that Greece would not block FYROM from joining any international organizations.