Stockholm
The Swedish prime minister married the head of the state-owned liquor monopoly this week, forging a connection many Swedes see as a conflict of interest. The twice-divorced Prime Minister Goran Persson wedded Anitra Steen, the director of Systembolaget, in a private ceremony. Systembolaget is the state company that operates all liquor stores in alcoholism-plagued Sweden. Steen was involved in a scandal earlier this year when scores of her employees were found to be taking bribes from liquor companies to stock their wares. Persson said he was satisfied with Steen’s handling of the scandal, but opposition leaders say his marriage will render his government unable to properly regulate the liquor industry.
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