North Macedonian parliament approves deal to set EU bid in motion

A man holds the old national flag during a protest in front of the parliament building in Skopje (AP)

North Macedonia has approved a French proposal that opens the way for negotiations to join the European Union and overcome Bulgarian objections.

There were 68 votes in favour of the proposal in the 120-member chamber, with the leftist coalition, which has 61 seats, getting the backing of small ethnic Albanian parties.