Den nye AUF-lederen vil splitte opp dagligvaregigantene

Rødt, SV and AUF have all called for the breakup of Norway's three large grocery chains - Norgesgruppen, Rema 1000 and Coop - which together control over 95% of the traditional grocery market. Fawzi Warsame, the new leader of AUF, said that while some might see this as radical policy, it would be far more radical to allow the existing giants to continue unchecked.

Two weeks ago, Warsame was elected as the new leader of AUF following Gaute Skjervø. At their party congress, AUF approved a new business program, with Warsame saying that breaking up the chains is the most important part because they have too much market power. He believes that AUF wants to break up all three chains and set boundaries on how much market share a grocery company can have.

Warsame argued that the ruling party isn't doing enough, stating that simply calling grocery barons to the carpet doesn't lower the price on store shelves. The ruling party has responded skeptically to AUF's calls, with the Minister for Trade and Industry describing the idea as "very intrusive." The government has previously voted down a bill from Rødt and SV on the matter.

Warsame insists that it's time to go further, criticizing the three grocery giants for controlling nearly the entire market. The grocery chains have naturally opposed any breakup, arguing that greater size brings the benefits of efficient logistics and that smaller businesses enjoy certain advantages. Warsame acknowledges the challenges to breaking up the chains but feels the time for action is now, emphasizing that they don't have the patience to wait any longer.