Zoran Zaev gets the result, loses the bet as ‘heavy clouds’ loom over Macedonia vote

by host October 1, 2018

October 1, 2018

The referendum in Macedonia over its plan to change its name to end a decades-old dispute with Athens dominated Greek headlines.

Efsyn reported that the government of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev “got the result” but “did not win the bet,” after only around 37 percent of eligible voters actually cast their ballots. While over 90 percent of those who turned up voted in favor of the deal, the turnout didn’t come close to the 50-percent threshold Zaev needed.
Iefimerida’s headline referred to “heavy clouds in Macedonia” in the wake of the vote.
In analysis for Capital, Costas Raptis wrote that the government “is undoubtedly the loser of the referendum” despite the high support for the “Yes” camp, “because, despite clear support from international players,” the participation rate was lower than predicted by even “the most pessimistic.”
News24 reported on the reaction in Athens to the vote, noting that “although the participation rate was low, the fight continues.”

British media focused on Tory divisions on display at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.

The Telegraph reported on U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s warning to the EU that “a bad Brexit deal will stir Britain’s ‘Dunkirk spirit.’” The comments came after Hunt on Sunday compared the EU with the Soviet Union and said European leaders risked turning the bloc into a “prison” that other countries would want as a result of Brussels’ uncompromising Brexit stance.
BBC News trailed a speech to be delivered by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab on Monday, in which he will warn that Britain could be left with “no choice” other than a hard Brexit if the EU attempts to “lock us in” to a customs union.
The Guardian reported on conservative MPs’ warnings at conference that the Tories risk annihilation unless the party focuses more on the needs of younger voters.

German media looked across the Channel and the Atlantic.

Tagesschau reported on the “power struggle” between Boris Johnson and Theresa May in the lead-up to the Tory Party conference.
Bild noted Johnson had branded May’s Brexit strategy “deranged.”
Süddeutsche Zeitung had the latest on a deal struck by the U.S. with Canada and Mexico to replace NAFTA.
Welt reported on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Germany. Erdoğan attended the opening of a disputed mosque — the biggest in Germany — in Cologne on Saturday. Welt noted that some are calling for the mosque to be monitored by the domestic security agency.

French media focused on President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the island of Saint Martin — and a controversial selfie.

Sud Ouest reported the president now faced “criticism” over the selfie with two locals, one of whom held his middle finger up at the camera. Among the critics was far-right politician Marine Le Pen, who labeled the rude gesture “unforgivable.”
Europe 1 reckoned Macron was attempting to “de-dramatize” the brouhaha, saying late Sunday that he “loved every child of the Republic, no matter the nonsense they do.”
Le Télégramme noted the president wanted to “accelerated the reconstruction” of the island, which was damaged by Hurricane Irma a year ago.

Belgian media including Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Laatste Nieuws, focused on an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
Knack covered an interview with Former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, published in De Zondag, in which the former Belgian PM said he believed “nothing in life is irreversible, not even Brexit.”