Sit-ins swell as Greek students march over Prespes deal

As a wave of sit-ins against Greece's name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) sweeps across the country exposing social divisions and evolving into a focal point of opposition between political parties, about 1,200 high school pupils Thursday marched through the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

According to unofficial data, teenagers had until Thursday closed down about 500 schools across the country. An estimated 15-20 percent of the sit-ins are said to be inspired by opposition to the so-called Prespes accord.

Meanwhile, about 210 schools in the Central Macedonia region - of which 100 are in Thessaloniki - were participating in the sit-in protests until Thursday.

The sit-ins, not an unusual occurrence in Greece, have stoked tension between youngsters as well as pitting students against teachers who oppose the protests. A...