Main opposition New Democracy (ND) president travelled to the northern city of Thessaloniki on Friday, kicking off a tour of northern Greece, where he promised local producers more protection for products and brand-names bearing the name "Macedonian".
Mitsotakis and center-right ND are attempting to capitalize on widespread discontent in Greece, mainly in the province of Macedonia, and specifically in Thessaloniki, over the recently implemented Prespa agreement, which normalized relations with the now renamed North Macedonia.
In a meeting with social partners and local producers, Mitsotakis promised that, if elected, a ND government will "veto" North Macedonia's EU accession course if Greek national interests are not guaranteed, and if problems with Greek products bearing the name and derivatives of the name "Macedonian" aren't resolved.
He also promised to fund an international promotional campaign for the brand name "Macedonia" and to register more protected designation of origin products from Greece's Macedonia province.
