New President of North Macedonia Stirs International Scandal by Violating Constitution During Inauguration

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called it a violation of the Prespa Agreement that the new President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, used the name "Macedonia" at her inauguration instead of the country's official name, North Macedonia, the Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reports.

The Greek prime minister warned that further violations of the name agreement signed between the two countries could jeopardise Skopje's ambitions for EU membership.

"The provocative decision of the new President of North Macedonia to violate the official text of her oath and call her country by a different name is an illegal and unacceptable initiative. It violates the Prespa Agreement and the constitution of his country. It also undermines its future prospects," Mitsotakis said.

Despite the reaction of the international community, the newly elected President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, insists that she "has the right to use the name 'Macedonia'". 

In a statement, her press service claims that the President of the Republic of North Macedonia "has the right to use the name Macedonia as an act of personal right to self-determination and self-identification, respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms and in accordance with European values and principles". 

However, the statement clarifies that "President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova will adhere to the official use of the constitutional name". 

"In accordance with the Constitution prepared by the Assembly services, the oath of office was signed in the constitutional name," the statement goes on to say. 

In accordance with the historic international Prespa Agreement of 2018, the country's name and constitution were changed, allowing North Macedonia to join NATO in 2020 and begin the EU accession process.

During her inauguration on Sunday, Siljanovska did not refer to the country by its constitutional name, which provoked a reaction from the Greek government and the European Commission.