The Tidö parties agree that they want to introduce yard sales of alcohol but keep Systembolaget. The latest investigation into the matter proposes an implementation that is deemed to be compatible with the Swedish alcohol monopoly. The alcohol monopoly is an exception to EU trade rules and is subject to a number of conditions.
"I'm impatient, I wish this was in place a long time ago. At the same time, I am pleased that we have a Minister of Social Affairs who is thorough, who goes through the consultation responses that have been received and how we can do this in a wise and good way," says Johan Hultberg (M), Member of Parliament and member of the Social Affairs Committee.
"In my world, the bill shouldn't be far away," he continues.
Hallengren: "There is no consensus"
The Social Democrats, on the other hand, are reluctant to introduce yard sales, because they do not trust the conclusion of the investigation.
– It feels creative from the investigator, but there is definitely no consensus that the proposal does not threaten the monopoly, says Lena Hallengren (S).
"I am standing here because I am worried about what will happen if the Swedish retail monopoly falls.
Channel for Swedish products
In the clip above, Joakim Zander, senior lecturer in EU law at Lund University, explains the regulations that lead some to believe that the introduction of yard sales could jeopardize the Swedish alcohol monopoly.
"If you bring in yard sales, you create a channel for Swedish products to reach their consumers, which foreign products lack," he says.
Watch all of Sweden meet on SVT Play.