Name deal exposes cracks in coalition partner, center-left

The name deal between Athens and Skopje has exposed cracks in Greece's junior coalition partner, the nationalist Independent Greeks (ANEL), as well as the new center-left Movement for Change (KINAL).

ANEL's decision to vote against a no-confidence motion submitted by the conservative New Democracy opposition over the accord, triggered a wave of resignations in the party of Defense Minister Panos Kammenos who has vehemently opposed the agreement.

The party's parliamentary seats dwindled to eight on Saturday after MP Dimitris Kammenos (who is not related to the party leader) voted in favor of the motion. Now an independent MP, Kammenos told Skai that the SYRIZA-led government had agreed to the deal "because it received returns on economic issues."

There has been speculation that the deal might increase Greek chances for debt relief. Ruling officials have denied a...