The law on farm sales of alcohol that comes into effect on June 1st states that sales may take place between 10 am and 8 pm. The Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green Party, which make up the red-green majority in Stockholm, want to introduce stricter rules within the municipality and stop sales of alcohol after 3 pm on Saturdays and entirely on Sundays.
It is very clear that the intention is not for the country's municipalities to set their own rules that are more restrictive than the legislation and apply generally, but rather a review of the farm sales time should be made in relation to each application. Then there may be reasons in certain cases to restrict, but having a general rule on time restrictions in the municipality has no basis in the legislation, says Lundin.
But the Social Democrats in Stockholm do not agree. The party writes in an email that "the law should be interpreted as giving us as a municipality the right to regulate the overall opening hours but also having the opportunity to further restrict the opening hours".
Social Committee Chairman Alexander Ojanne (S) says in a written comment that he is "confident in the city's legal assessment".
"Our permit unit always makes individual assessments of entrepreneurs who sell alcohol, despite overall guidelines. It will be the same with farm sales", says Ojanne.
The proposal has not yet been voted on in the Stockholm Municipal Council.
The drinks may only be purchased in conjunction with a "knowledge-enhancing visit arrangement" organized by the manufacturer.
At one and the same time, a person can buy: 0.7 liters of spirits, three liters of wine, three liters of strong beer, and three liters of other fermented alcohol drinks.
The drinks may be sold every day between 10 am and 8 pm, but municipalities can decide on more restricted times.
Only small-scale producers are covered. Vineyards must grow their own grapes, but other producers do not need to produce raw materials on site.
The law is introduced temporarily for six years, after which it will be evaluated before it can be introduced permanently.
