EARLY ELECTIONS ON JUNE 1
National.
Macedonian legislators have voted to dissolve parliament and hold early elections amid a row with Greece over the country's name. Greece wants the country to change its name, saying it implies a territorial claim over its northern province of the same name.
Greece blocked Macedonia's bid to join Nato a week ago over the name issue. Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said opposition parties had been blocking his plans for reform.
"We remain committed to our goals to join Nato and the European Union," Mr Gruevski said. "But the necessary reforms are halted with a blockade of parliamentary procedures."
Seventy of Macedonia's 120 deputies voted to dissolve the parliament, with 50 opposition members boycotting the vote. The opposition Social Democrats said early elections could further harm Macedonia's bid to join Nato.
Elections had not been scheduled until 2010, but a vote must now be held within 60 days.
[BBC]
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