Flanders and Wallonia are again at odds over the nature restoration law: “Stop your untruths” | Domestic

Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states reached a political agreement on the much-discussed nature restoration law on November 9. With binding targets and obligations, EU countries must restore at least 20 percent of Europe’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems where restoration is needed by 2050. The agreement must now be formally approved by both the European Parliament and the Council.

Belgium’s position is partly determined by the federal states. How Flanders will act will depend on a new impact analysis, says Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA). She wants to be sure that the measures to restore nature will not hinder economic growth. But Spain, as temporary president of the Council, wants to have the agreement approved by the member states on Wednesday. This must be done during a meeting of the so-called Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper). Spain is convinced that enough member states support the agreement to reach the necessary qualified majority (at least 55 percent of the member states, which together account for at least 65 percent of the EU population).

Belgium is one of the countries that will opt for an abstention, Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) told the Belga news agency on Tuesday. “We received the text last Friday, and tomorrow they want us to show our true colors. You can’t call that very serious,” she says. The Belgian position is determined by all federal states together. If they do not agree unanimously, our country will be forced to abstain – including tomorrow, Demir makes it clear.

Federal Climate Minister Zakia Khattabi (Ecolo) denounces the “sabotage of the nature restoration law by the Flemish government”. “Belgium cannot vote in favor due to study reservations. They threaten the majority at EU level. How many times does Flanders have to flood before they realize that nature is our best ally to protect us?

Groen is also not happy about an abstention. “Once again Demir is silencing Belgium on the international stage and blocking nature and climate policy,” says Groen co-chairman Jeremie Vaneeckhout. “Nature is the best ally we have to combat the climate crisis, but due to Demir’s sabotage, Belgium in Europe cannot vote for the nature restoration law. Demir is sacrificing our nature and the quality of life on our planet and CD&V and Open Vld are allowing it to happen.”

However, Demir does not accept criticism from the ecologists. “Stop your untruths,” she writes under her message on X. “Flanders will not let go of the nature restoration law. We received the text on Friday, and they want to decide tomorrow. You can’t call that serious. The lesson of the past is: know what you are voting for before you vote. Rushing through this is a tactical blunder by the EU.”