Demir on the federal reversal in the Nature Restoration Law: “De Croo must question the entire European climate policy”

23 May 2023
Zuhal Demir

Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir is surprised by the news that the federal government is changing its position on the European Nature Restoration Law. Contrary to federal minister Khattabi’s unconditionally positive stance, Prime Minister De Croo wants the European Nature Restoration Law to be amended. In doing so, he supports the position of the Flemish Government. But, Demir says, just pressing a pause button for that one law is somewhat noncommittal. “If De Croo really wants to present himself as a great leader, he should join Macron and me in calling for a reality check of the entire European climate policy,” Demir says.

Prime Minister De Croo announced that he is taking the Flemish position regarding the European Nature Restoration Law. It cannot be the intention to approve it without any adjustments, De Croo says. However, his federal colleague Zakia Khattabi claimed in the press and during intra-Belgian consultations that the federal government would give unconditional support to the law if it came to a vote. For Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir, who has been asking for adjustments for some time, the federal government’s reversal is a good thing, but insufficient.

Reality check for the entire climate policy needed

“Regret always comes after the sin. We have been asking Prime Minister De Croo for months to defend the Flemish position, but just as with the nuclear power plant file, he let the dogmas of the green parties direct his government. It was about time he changed his mind and supported my point of view. But the Nature Restoration Law is not the biggest problem; it is just a symptom of the European disease. Doing something risky can go well for a while, but it will eventually turn out badly. And Timmermans’ plan has been proceeding without criticism for a very long time, but is now falling apart. If De Croo really wants to present himself as a great leader, he should join Macron and me in calling for a reality check of the entire European climate policy. Stop the extra fees and increased targets. That is what people expect. We cannot be satisfied with less.”

Zuhal Demir is looking forward to the further positioning within the federal government.

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