Macedonia referendum on changing country’s name failed

SANAA, Oct. 1 (YPA) – The referendum on changing the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia failed, due to  the low participation, with 34% of participants an hour before polling stations closed.

The article 30 in the Constitution of Macedonia states that the result of the referendum is valid only if it is supported by more than 50% of voters.

Opponents of the country’s change of name, who called for a boycott of the referendum, announced that they would hold rallies in front of parliament, where they had set up a platform since noon.

Government officials feared that the turnout would not exceed 50 percent, which is the goal they set two days ago.

E.M