– We believe that state ownership is too extensive and large. There is no reason for the state to sell alcohol when others can do it just fine. This is according to Sivert Bjørnstad, parliamentary representative for the FRP and business policy spokesperson. Today, the state is both the regulatory authority and the owner, which the FRP believes leads to a role problem. – We think it can be solved better if the state only regulates the business, while others stand for it, says Bjørnstad. Do you think the offer will be better? On Thursday, the Storting will consider the ownership report to the government. There they go through everything the state owns, and one of the proposals for the FRP is to privatize the wine monopoly. Photo: Anne Cecilie Remen / news Bjørnstad points out that other countries in Europe have private businesses that sell alcohol, and that the state regulates how this can be done. – Will there be a better offer for most people then? – We think so. Then the market will rule and you can go to Rema 1000, Kiwi or Coop stores and buy yourself a good bottle of wine, says Bjørnstad. – Much better arrangement for the districts He explains that someone can certainly take over the specialized expertise that the Vinmonopolet has on wine and other alcoholic beverages today. It can provide specialized shops similar to Vinmonopolet. – What happens to small liquor stores in the district? – This will be a much better arrangement for the districts, because completely ordinary grocery stores will be able to sell wine. Today, you also have the option of ordering wine and having it delivered right to your door. It will also be possible with the new proposal, says Bjørnstad, who adds that everything is best solved by competition. – Monopoly is actually a thing of the past. There are no good reasons in themselves to maintain a monopoly. Didn’t believe In Steigen municipality, with its roughly 2,500 inhabitants, there has been a liquor store since 2016. Mayor Aase Refsnes (SV) believes that privatization could be unfortunate for the district. Photo: Elena Junie Paulsen / news – I really don’t understand why we should change something that works as well as Vinmonopolet. We probably have real problems in this world and should focus on them. Refsnes believes that if the market decides, then it is usually in the central areas that you have the best offer, and perhaps often the only offer. – So for those of us in the districts who have a liquor store, I think it is best that the Wine Store remains as it is today, so that we also then have the opportunity to buy our wine when we want to. – What significance will it have for Steigen if Vinmonopolet is privatized? – Time will tell if the proposal goes through, which I don’t think so. Vinmonopolet has shown, by establishing itself in relatively poor Steigen, that they are also interested in the district. A nearby store or chain does not need to take the same care. The offer and various goods will be considerably smaller if the proposal gets a lot of support, Refsnes believes. – The pole in Steigen was a very good addition to the municipality. As I understand it, the population appreciated having that offer. We are happy to have it close by, and it seems that more and more small municipalities are getting it.
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– Monopoly belongs to the past – news Nordland
