The Sweden Democrats’ party leader Jimmie Åkesson wants Systembolaget to take the next step in developing its stores. Therefore, SD proposes both Sunday openings and the option to buy chilled drinks directly in the store—something the party argues is important for the monopoly to maintain its support among the Swedish people.

It has been 25 years since Systembolaget started opening on Saturdays, a change that at the time sparked much debate. Now Åkesson believes the time is right for further easing of the opening hours.

He believes that customers should be able to buy, for example, beer, cider, or wine even on Sundays, and describes it as a reasonable adaptation to how people live today. At the same time, he emphasizes that the Sweden Democrats still support the Swedish alcohol monopoly.

According to Åkesson, the proposal is not about weakening Systembolaget; on the contrary, it is about strengthening its legitimacy by making the business more accessible and modern.

“It’s only reasonable that you should have the opportunity to buy a pilsner or cider or a bottle of wine on a Sunday if you want to,” Jimmie Åkesson told SVT.

The discussion about changing rules for alcohol policy has gained new momentum after the Liberals recently presented their own reform proposals in the area. The issue was also raised by Åkesson during his spring speech earlier in May, where he portrayed a vision of a Sweden where customers can buy cold drinks at Systembolaget—perhaps even on a Sunday.

Refrigerators in the stores

When it comes to chilled drinks, however, the SD leader does not want to see traditional refrigerators with a limited selection in the stores. He believes that risks favoring larger producers and disadvantaging smaller participants. Instead, he advocates larger refrigerated rooms where the entire selection can be offered on equal terms.

Åkesson also says that the issue has already been discussed within the Tidö Agreement coalition and that the parties have had talks about the possibility of selling chilled drinks. However, no agreement has yet been reached.

Previously, Elisabet Lann from the Christian Democrats has said that changes to Systembolaget’s opening hours are not currently under consideration. But according to Åkesson, the issue is likely to remain a part of the political conversation moving forward.

He says that the Sweden Democrats will continue to push the issue if the party receives voters’ support in the next election.