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Sweden voted no – but receives praise for controversial EU proposal

6/20/2023, 8:03:08 PM

Highlights: Sweden is praised for the fact that the controversial proposal for nature restoration was voted through in the EU Council of Ministers. The proposal includes how Europe should restore some nature, such as wetlands and meadows. But Sweden – as one of a total of seven countries – chose to vote no. It is believed that the compromise does not take sufficient account of the foresters' conditions, says SVT's Europe correspondent David Boati. Now the proposal will be discussed in the European Parliament next, where opinions on the issue are divided.

Sweden is praised for the fact that the controversial proposal for nature restoration was voted through in the EU Council of Ministers - despite the fact that Sweden was one of the nations that voted no. The reason: The proposal does not take sufficient account of the conditions of foresters.


Romina Pourmokhtari (L) and Sweden, as the country holding the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, negotiated the compromise on nature restoration that was voted through on Tuesday.

The proposal includes how Europe should restore some nature, such as wetlands and meadows.

The Swedish negotiators received praise after it was hammered through. But Sweden – as one of a total of seven countries – chose to vote no.

– It is believed that the compromise does not take sufficient account of the foresters' conditions, says SVT's Europe correspondent David Boati.

The last word has not yet been said. Now the proposal will be discussed in the European Parliament next, where opinions on the issue are divided.

Hear David Boati's analysis of the contentious EU proposal in the video player above.