How is it possible to agree about the restauration of the nature with the population? This question comprises the core of the voting of the EU environment ministers on June 17th 2024 in Luxembourg what was one of the most problematic files in the current legislative period. Finally the very tight majority was reached with the voting turnout of 66,07% ( necessary was the minimum of (65%) – and Austria was the one to hold the balance.
Just to refresh: the Nature Restauration Law (NRL) is aimed to „ecologically restore“ the damaged eco systems till the year 2023 on the 20% of the territory of the EU. Additionally it demands the provision of new natural protected areas and more green areas in the cities.
The political approval was confirmed from the side of the EU Parliament on Februray 27th, 2024 , however in the course the final approval was necessary from the Council. The result of the voting in the Council was awaiterd with tension since on one side the voting behaviour of several member countries could not be foreseen and on the other side the qualified majority (this means 55% of the EU member states had to vote for the suggested law, and these states should have in total the minimum 65% of EU population). Finally the Law was supported by 20 on the totally 27 EU member states. Only Hungary, Poland, Finland, Sweden and Italy were against the proposal and Belguim abstained from the voting. As also the Austrian Minister for Environment Leonore Gewessler this time approved the Law, the necessary majority percentage limit was therefore reached, namely 65% of the total EU population.
The standpoint of the Austrian federal states was not uniform, so there were turbulences between OVP and Leonore Gewessler from the Greens.
