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Friday, April 11, 2014
Merkel Lauds Greek 'Step Toward Normalcy' After Bond Sale
5 things to know about Macedonia's presidential election
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Macedonia holds presidential elections Sunday — its fifth since the Balkan country gained independence following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Here are five things to know about the poll and the country.
WHERE IS IT:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece.
HOW BIG:
Slightly larger than the U.S. state of Vermont. Its population is 2.1 million.
STILL LOOKING WEST
Since gaining independence, Macedonia has struggled to find its place on the international stage. The problem is the country's name: Greece objects to anything outside its borders being called Macedonia, arguing that it suggests territorial claims on Greece. The dispute has led Greece to block Macedonia's efforts to join Western organizations like the European Union and NATO.
Even though all of the major parties agree on Macedonia's aspirations, the question is how to best achieve them.
THE LEADERS:
Current President Gjorge Ivanov, 53, of the VMRO-DPMNER party has presented himself during the campaign as defender of the Macedonia's identity. He said he would never give up Macedonia's name and will seek a referendum for any other proposal.
His main opponent, Social-Democrat Stevo Pendarovski, 51, wants all of the parties to come up with a consensus on the name issue and then negotiate with Greece.
WARM UP VOTE
Despite being elected directly by popular vote, the president holds a largely ceremonial position. Sunday's ballot is seen as a test to see whether the dominant VMRO-DPMNE can win general elections April 27 — and hold on to power.
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, criticized by opponents for alleged interference in the judiciary and news media, is again staking his re-election on a pledge to form closer ties with NATO and the EU.
News Topics: General news, Government and politics, Presidential elections, Elections, National electionsPeople, Places and Companies: Gjorge Ivanov, Nikola Gruevski, Macedonia, Greece, Europe, Eastern Europe, Western Europe
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he thought it was "strange" for the U.S. to react to a letter he wrote to European leaders warning Russia might cut natural gas supplies to Ukraine, which would potentially reduce exports to the rest of the continent. Putin addressed America's response to the letter at a meeting of Russia's Security Council.
"It’s a bit strange,” said Putin, according to Russia Today. "It’s strange, at any rate, as it’s bad to read other people’s letters. It wasn’t addressed to them, but the consumers of gas in Europe.
Putin then made what seemed to be a thinly-veiled reference to the NSA surveillance programs that were revealed last year.
"Everybody is used to the fact that our American friends are eavesdropping, but turning to peeping is shabby altogether," said Putin.
Putin was responding to a statement from U.S. State Department Jen Psaki that accused Russia of reneging on a deal that offered reduced gas prices to Ukraine and using "energy as a tool of coercion against Ukraine" in the wake of protests that ousted the regime there that was closely allied with Moscow.
Putin's letter, which he sent Thursday, denied he had raised natual gas prices for political reasons and said Russia would "require a payment of about 5 billion US dollars" for the amount of gas Ukraine would need "to guarantee uninterrupted transit," The letter was addressed to officials in France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Austria, Greece, Moldova, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Bosnia, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Romania, and Turkey.
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Police banned protests across most of central Athens on April 11 as German Chancellor Angela Merkel was to pay a visit.
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