The Swedish Presidency’s negotiating mandate was not unanimously approved, but at the end of the debate, the text was supported by more than 55% of the Member States, which also represent more than 65% of the European population.
This does not end the matter for the much-discussed nature restoration law, which aims to restore weakened ecosystems and habitats in Europe. After all, the member states still have to enter into negotiations with the European Parliament. It was not yet able to take a position due to internal divisions. On June 27, it should become clear whether the bill can go to the plenary meeting or whether it will remain stuck. There is a chance that the full European Parliament will only be able to pronounce on the nature restoration law after the summer
Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) represents our country at the summit. She had gone to Luxembourg without a Belgian position, since the regions and the federal government could not agree. The Belgian position ultimately made no difference. Only the Netherlands, Finland, Poland, Italy and Sweden voted against.
Demir therefore failed to convince her coalition partner, but “hoped that many member states would support the proposal”. “Nature restoration remains a priority for Flanders. Now that the trilogue negotiations are allowed to start, we want to continue to weigh in on the adjustments to the Nature Restoration Act. We continue to work,” she tweeted after the law was passed.
“After 30 years of pushing the brakes, today the accelerator is found. The callers who wanted to push the pause button have failed in their intention to further undermine our nature policy,” said Groen co-chairman Jeremie Vaneeckhout, who reacted euphorically to the approval of the law. According to him, the European nature restoration law has been “saved for the time being, despite the Trumpian politics of liberals and Christian Democrats”.