In an opinion piece titled 'Vedum knows better', Norwegian politician Vedum opposes VG journalist Hans Petter Sjøli's idea of emulating Iceland by holding two referendums about joining the EU: one to initiate membership negotiations and another to decide on the outcome of those negotiations. Vedum's stance is particularly centered around his skepticism of the EU's bureaucratic nature and perceived democratic deficits, asserting that Norway should remain cautious about closer ties with the EU.

He critiques the EU as a 'bureaucratic colossus' suggesting that the EU Commission, which is not directly elected by the populace, unfairly holds the monopoly on proposing legislation, while the Council of Ministers is not directly accountable to voters. However, Vedum acknowledges that while EU commissioners are not elected, they are appointed by elected governments within their respective member countries, implying a level of democratic legitimacy in the EU's structure that he seems to overlook.

The implications of Vedum's arguments are significant as they highlight the ongoing debate within Norway regarding EU membership and the fear of being drawn into it without proper public discourse. His views resonate with a segment of the Norwegian population that remains skeptical about the EU, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in democratic processes, especially when it involves integration into larger political entities like the EU.