Two hours into the vote, 2.45 percent of all citizens with voting rights exited the referendum polls, Macedonia’s Central Election Commission said. Macedonians are deciding whether to change the country’s name into the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

The polls opened Sunday morning at 7 a.m. and the citizens will decide on the Agreement on the solution of a years-long dispute with Greece about the name ‘Macedonia.’ the Agreement envisages a name change into ‘Republic of Northern Macedonia.’

The referendum question is: “Do you support the country’s membership into the EU and NATO along with the Agreement between Macedonia and Greece?.”

After casting his vote, Zoran Zaev told the press he believes the people of Macedonia will choose the EU and NATO by voting in favour of the name change.

At exactly 7 p.m. the polls have closed and the preliminary turnout count published just 30 minutes before the closure showed a 34 percent turnout.

In order for the referendum to be considered successful, the turnout must be at least 50 percent plus one vote.

The referendum is not legally binding, but the government said they will treat the referendum result as binding.

In case of a positive result, the final decision on the Agreement with Greece will be made by Macedonia’s Parliament where any constitutional change requires a two-third majority vote.

After all these processes end, the Agreement needs to be ratified by the Greek Parliament, as well.  

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