One more twist. Despite the fact that there was hope for some groups, finally the European Parliament once again leaves the Nature Restoration Law, a key law of the European Green Pact, hanging by a thread. In a new agonizing vote, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee has rejected the regulations due to votes against by the European People’s Party and the extreme right.
Almost two weeks ago, the same commission rejected an amendment that asked the European Commission to withdraw the initiative, because it considers that it is contrary to the interests of farmers. The shouts and applause of the vast majority of groups, who cheered on the speaker, the Spanish socialist César Luena, have not been repeated today. Yes for the benches of the popular group and the extreme right who consider the rejection a victory. As happened two weeks ago, the vote has been 44 votes in favor and 44 against, according to the regulations of the Eurochamber, in this case it is rejected. A clear sign of division.
The Nature Restoration Law proposes the recovery of 20% of European ecosystems that are in poor condition due to human impact by 2030 and with binding objectives for their recovery.
But for the vast majority of groups in the European Parliament, the battle is not given up. The next appointment will be in two weeks, when the Strasbourg plenary session will vote on the proposal again, and there may be surprises. The text will now be modified and will still need to be amended ahead of the crucial vote in mid-July. If it goes ahead, it will be necessary to negotiate with the States, who did give their approval, although it was not unanimous support. In any case, the European People’s Party has once again asked the European Commission to withdraw the regulations and does not have to go to plenary session.
“The narrow margin of today’s vote shows that it can still reach the plenary. Until then, we must continue to work to create a strong majority. I am sure that science and the truth will prevail against lies and populism”, Luena assured.
For its part, the largest organization that represents the interests of farmers in the European Union has congratulated itself on the decision, “despite unprecedented pressure and a politicized debate to the extreme,” the cooperative denounced in a statement. In his opinion, the vote sends “a clear message” that the European Commission must withdraw its initial proposal and present “a realistic alternative”
With today’s vote, it is confirmed how divisive the climate fight has become, one year after the European elections and with important electoral appointments in Member States, such as Spain or Poland.
The leader of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber, has begun to fight in recent months against the European Commission, chaired by Ursula von der Leyen, German like Weber, and from the same political family. But above all, it has become a law that confronts the EPP with Vice President Frans Timmermans, Dutch Social Democrat and in charge of the Green Pact, whom the popular group has accused of “threatening” its members.
Today’s rejection joins the votes against the Agriculture and Fisheries commissions — commissions that also gave their opinion in an advisory capacity. “Three times rejected (…) today the European Parliament’s Environment Committee also rejects the Timmermans Nature Restoration Act. The signal is absolutely clear”, the popular MEP Esther de Lange has assured on social networks, who joins the group’s requests to propose a new regulation that favors farmers more.
