Macedonia Press Review – January 8, 2013

DNEVNIK
Ahead of the fresh round of Macedonia-Greece name talks, Greece has softened its rethorics, says the daily. The chief of Greek diplomacy, Dimitris Avramopoulos has previously accused Macedonia for forging history and for irredentism but ahead of the fresh visit of the UN name mediator in the dispute, Matthew Nimetz, his tones are calmer. He said that Nimetz’s visit was a development that Greece wanted and that it could create conditions for progress in the long standing dispute.

UTRINSKI VESNIK
Current municipal mayors from the ranks of Macedonian opposition Social Democrats are prepared to sacrifice their posts if the party asks them to, the daily writes. If the opposition maintains its position for boycott of the March local elections, these mayors, who in many cases are seen as favorites in their municipalities will practically hand their post to the ruling parties on a silver platter. The opposition announced boycott of the elections after the December parliament incidents when their legislators were thrown out of a session. They said they fear rigged elections by the government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski whom they accuse for autocratic rule.
 
Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.