Macedonia’s main opposition VMRO-DPMNE party on July 5 filed criminal charges against top officials involved in the conclusion and adoption of what the party calls the “unconstitutional and unlawful” name deal with Greece.

Earlier in the day the parliament endorsed the name agreement for the second time after President Gjorge Ivanov refused to sign it the first time around, saying it is unconstitutional. 

Under the deal, the country’s name will be changed to North Macedonia, with the new name being for international and domestic use which requires constitutional changes. The deal is intended to unblock the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

Charges were filed against Social Democrat Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, speaker of the parliament Talat Xhaferi, as well as against all MPs who voted for the agreement, VMRO-DPMNE said in the statement.

The criminal charges relate to treason, putting in danger the country’s independence, association for performing hostile activities and abuse of official position and power.

VMRO said that the act of negotiating the agreement of “capitulation” and its ratification is in violation of several laws and the Constitution.

The agreement was signed on June 12 by the foreign minister of Macedonia and Greece to solve the 27-year name dispute between the two countries, but it was concluded despite objections from VMRO-DPMNE party. It is also disputed by the Greek opposition.

VMRO-DPMNE staged a huge protest on June 2 accusing the government and PM Zaev of betraying the country’s national interests by negotiating the change of the country’s name with neighbouring Greece.