Athens municipal authorities told the soldiers who will march through the city to celebrate the Greek independence day today that they are not allowed to use the offenssive, nationalist chants which are frequently heard during such parades, and especially the slogan “Macedonia is Greek”.

During his parade, and the large parade on Oxi day in October, Greek soldiers often chant not only “Macedonia is Greek” but also threats aimed at Turkey and Albania as well. A major diplomatic incident occurred in 2008, when special forces units were chanting how they’ll “make belts from the skins of Skopians”.

During a march of school students held in Athens on Sunday, the local authorities forbid them from presenting a nationalist program also aimed at Macedonia, and police had to disperse several groups of protesters opposed to the Prespa treaty.

The Prespa treaty is supposed to forbid both countries from using nationalist rhetoric, but its implementation is very one-sided, given that Greece retains its veto power against Macedonia over its European Union membership. The parades will be an early signal whether Greece can curb expressions of nationalism on its end.