Evaluating the political atmosphere in Macedonia after the referendum, Assistant Professor Dr. Fatih Fuat Tuncer said: “Macedonia's name change was voted with a referendum. The 50 percent rate of participation required for the referendum to be valid could not be reached. However, about 90 percent of the voters participated in the referendum voted 'yes'.” He said that Macedonia expects early elections. Lecturer.

Assistant Professor Dr. Fatih Fuat Tuncer continued: “European Union and USA emphasize the “91 percent” of yes in the referendum, despite the lack of 50 percent of participation. There are two different perspectives about the referendum. First group is the boycotters and Greek nationalists, which we call the Tirana Movement and they want the referendum to be considered invalid. Despite the fact that the referendum has no constitutional legitimacy, we see that EU and USA try to make it valid. But all the parties know that this referendum was consulting to people.

”GREECE IS THE PLAY MAKER”

The referendum will lead to controversy within the Macedonian Parliament. Whether the Prespa Agreement will have a validity or not depends on this process. But Greece is the playmaker here. Greece does not want to compromise. In fact, the reflection of the question asked in the referendum on Greece would raise much larger debates within Greece. Because their nationalism is much stronger than Macedonia.”

“PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO GIVE UP THEIR MACEDONIAN IDENTITY FOR EU AND NATO MEMBERSHIP”

According to Assistant Professor Dr. Fatih Fuat Tuncer, the main problem in referendum was the question in referendum and he added:

“The question was: “Do you support Macedonia's membership in NATO and the European Union by acknowledging the agreement reached with Greece?”. And in fact, by accepting the EU and NATO membership, you are asked whether you give up your Macedonian identity and your own nation identity. And President Corge Ivanov is on this side. He says: 'We will not give up our national identity, our own flag, our language, our history”. Yes, the Greek nationalists are against the use of the name Northern Macedonia, but in fact, this situation is very depressing for Macedonian nationalists. In fact, for EU and NATO membership, people are asked to give up their Macedonian identity. Of course, the economic situation in Macedonia makes EU and NATO membership the best option. However, in this view, national identity protection becomes more important than EU and NATO membership. The President and the opposition want to build their own political future, even if they are within the EU, by preserving this nationalism”.

”RUSSIA STANDS WITH MACEDONIAN NATIONALISTS”

Assistant Professor Dr. Fatih Fuat Tuncer continued: “Although the Macedonian referendum has received support from the EU and the United States, Macedonia will face an early election. Because it will cause great controversy in parliament and will unite nationalists. I anticipate that the solution of the Albanian problem and the Turkish community are not included in these discussions, so there is no final solution. Even if it is accepted in Macedonia, such an agreement will not be approved by the Greek parliament. Russia stands by the Macedonian nationalists. I do not think that this agreement can be validated. At least I think it will not be approved by the people and the parliament. We can say that Macedonia will go through an early election.”