The fate of the proposed EU regulation on nature restoration will be at stake again next week at the plenary session of the European Parliament, with a debate scheduled for Tuesday 11 July and a vote on Wednesday 12. This was decided by the Conference of Presidents of Parliament’s political groups (CoP).
Despite the rejection vote by the Committee on the Environment, Health and Food Safety (ENVI) on 27 June (see EUROPE 13210/6), the vice-chairman of the S&D group, responsible for the ‘European Green Deal’, the Dutchman Mohammed Chahim, and the Spanish rapporteur, César Luena, from the same group, said on Thursday 6 July that they were confident of a favourable vote.
MEPs will first be asked to vote on a motion of rejection (which is essential if the European Parliament is to take a position). The Social Democrats believe it could be rejected. If this is the case, 129 amendments from the various political groups should be voted on “in an hour or an hour and a half”.
“I’m very optimistic. Some delegations from the EPP and ECR groups will not be voting with their group. I think we have the numbers [necessary for the majority: ed.]”, Mohammed Chahim told a press conference. And he stressed the importance of this future legislation: “Restoring nature and combating climate change are two sides of the same coin”.
12 S&D amendments from the 30 compromises supported by 4 groups. On behalf of the S&D Group, César Luena tabled 12 amendments based on compromises that had been negotiated between the S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left groups “and even with the EPP” (see EUROPE 13197/7), before the latter withdrew from the negotiations at the end of May (see EUROPE 13191/22).
The EU Council’s position defended by Renew Europe. The Liberals in the Renew Europe Group, who were divided but insisted on a plenary vote (see EUROPE 13200/21), are proposing as amendments the position of the Council of the EU (‘general approach’ or negotiating position with the Parliament) as agreed by the Environment Ministers on 20 June (see EUROPE 13205/12).
“It’s a good decision, because the EPP governments supported it in the EU Council. And it is a solution for certain Liberal and EPP members”, said César Luena. He reiterated his willingness to negotiate “to the end” with the EPP.
The EPP group, supported by the ECR and ID groups, continues to want the European Commission to withdraw its proposal and reconsider its approach.
César Luena indicated that he expected the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a Christian Democrat like Manfred Weber, President of the EPP Group, “to make a public statement before the vote”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)