ATHENS, Greece (AP) Protesters clashed with police outside Greeces parliament during a rally that drew tens of thousands of people Sunday against the Greek-Macedonia name deal. At least 25 police officers were injured and seven people arrested, police said.
Greeces parliament is expected to start a debate Monday on ratifying the deal and vote on it by Friday. Macedonias parliament has already approved it, agreeing that the country would go by the name North Macedonia.
Macedonia and Greece struck the deal in June to end a decades-long dispute over Macedonias name, which Greece says harbors territorial claims on its northern province of the same name.
Protesters are against the deal because they believe that any use of the name Macedonia in the neighboring countrys name is a usurpation of ancient Greek heritage and implies territorial claims on Greece.
A statement from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras office blamed extremist elements and members of Golden Dawn – an extreme-right, anti-immigrant party – for the clashes on Sunday.
In our democracy, citizens free expression is an inalienable right, even for those who want to abolish democracy … It is also the duty and obligation of those of us who do believe not to allow them. Lets isolate and condemn them, the statement said.
Police said in a statement that officers had been attacked by organized groups of individuals with special ferocity, (using) rocks, iron bars, wooden clubs, firebombs, etc. … Police forces acted according to operational plans and orders, showed restraint and professionalism and, using the appropriate methods, repelled the attacks.
Protest organizers said they hoped to attract more than 600,000 people. Police released an official estimate of 60,000.
