Austrian Minister Leonore Gewessler of the Greens Backs EU Nature Restoration Law, Defying Coalition

Jun 17, 2024, 09:17 AM

Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler of the Greens has defied her conservative coalition partners by pledging to cast Austria’s vote in favor of adopting a European Union nature restoration law. This move potentially tipped the balance in Brussels. The EU countries have given final approval to the major plan aimed at better protecting nature across the 27-nation bloc. Ministers from 20 EU member states voted in favor of the law, which seeks to restore habitats to their natural condition. The law, which faced months of delay, is the first green flagship policy to pass since the recent European Parliament elections.