During Wednesday's special council meeting in Stockholm, a majority voted against the proposal to make the temporary rules that prevailed during the World Cup – which allowed alcohol to be served until 8am – permanent.
A proposal to investigate the possibility of alcohol sales around the clock, which was put forward by the four opposition parties (the Liberals, Moderates, the Christian Democrats, and the Centre Party) was also rejected, local paper Mitt i reports.
"It worked during the World Cup. To say 'no' anyway is to choose ideology over facts – and it is the Stockholmers who lose," said Christofer Fjellner of the Moderates, a municipal candidate in the election, to Mitt i.
“We have just had these extra opening hours during the World Cup," said City Councillor Alexander Ojanne of the Social Democrats.
"Now we have to investigate this seriously and take in the relevant statistics from, among others, the police, to be able to take a thoughtful decision that creates a fun but also safe Stockholm," said Ojanne, who called the special summer council meeting "theatre" and "acting."
Stockholm is governed by the Social Democrats, the Left Party, and the Green party, which have a majority.