Greek coalition partner opposes Macedonia deal

ATHENS, Greece – The leader of the junior partner in Greece's coalition government says he will vote against a proposed compromise in a name dispute with neighbor Macedonia, leaving left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to seek support from political opponents.

Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, whose right-wing Independent Greeks party is Tsipras' government partner, said Tuesday he would oppose an agreement in a parliamentary vote.

In a decades-old dispute, Greece wants the former Yugoslav republic to change or modify its name to avoid any claim to the territory and ancient heritage of Greece's region of Macedonia — birthplace of ancient warrior king Alexander the Great. Greek opponents of the deal say modifying the name would not go far enough.

A resolution of the dispute would see Greece lift objection to Macedonia's accession to NATO.