Polls open in Macedonia election

Macedonians began voting Sunday in a runoff election to choose a new president.

Election officials said the polls opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), with no problems reported.

First-round winner Gjorgje Ivanov, a government-backed conservative, is running against Social Democrat challenger Ljubomir Frckoski.

The two sides are at odds over whether to compromise with neighbor Greece on a name dispute that has delayed Macedonia's bid to join NATO. Frckoski favors a deal.

Since Macedonia gained independence in 1991, Athens has demanded that the republic change …