Sweden in Focus

Not yet a member of The Local? Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners. Sweden's government tightened rules for citizenship earlier this year without transitional rules for people who had already applied. The new rules require eight years of residency instead of five for most applicants, and would-be citizens must now pass language and civics tests.The Migration Court in Malmö looked very closely recently at a case in which an applicant appealed for their right to be awarded citizenship according to the old rules. But the court ruled against the citizenship applicant in a blow to people who had waited in the queue and were hoping to become Swedish citizens under the rules that were in place at the time of application. Some hope was restored however when the judge told The Local's Richard Orange that an appeal to a higher court could succeed.In this week's episode you can hear an excerpt from the interview with Judge Löndahl we well as a studio discussion about the case and what happens next.Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. READ ALSO:Chief judge expects Swedish citizenship case to head to highest migration courtINTERVIEW: 'The last word has not yet been said on Swedish citizenship' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast: Electoral fraud allegations, complex coalition building, Candy Crush maker faces strike action, and how do Swedes say 'Digestive biscuit'?Negotiations between the centre-left parties are ongoing after they won a wafer thin majority in last week's election.But now a voter fraud scandal involving the Left Party threatens to derail the whole process.Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the election of a Left Party Member of Parliament in the Dalarna region. What do know about the allegations so far? And could the scandal lead to a revote?Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Not yet a member of The Local? Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Electoral fraud scandalSwedish Left Party leader finally speaks on election fraud allegationsSwedish Election Authority criticises ballot paper systemNewly elected MP steps aside amid Swedish electoral fraud probePoliticsEXPLAINED: What needs to happen for Sweden to get a new prime minister?Behind closed doors, Sweden's Left and Centre parties are still miles apartWorking in SwedenUPDATE: Strike threat lifted as Candy Crush maker signs collective agreementMore unions join pending strike at Swedish Candy Crush makerQ&A: Why Swedish unions are launching a strike at the games maker KingZara Larsson clip credit: Heart RadioThumbnail photo: Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar. Magnus Hjalmarson Neideman/SVD/TT Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Mandy Pipher tells us about the bureaucratic nightmare surrounding her recent trip to Canada. Living in Sweden on a residence permit can be a risky business, not least given that almost everyone who does so has strong connections to another country and needs to travel frequently.But if your residency card is in the process of being renewed while you're travelling, you risk being shut out of Sweden on your return.In this episode, host James Savage talks to podcast regular Mandy Pipher about her struggles ahead of a recent trip home to Canada.READ ALSO:OPINION: Yes, Swedish immigrants vote in their own interests – just like other voters Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Final election results, far right blames immigrants for loss, and what the election outcome means for foreigners in Sweden.  200,000 foreigners who have become Swedish citizens are to blame for Sweden's tiny swing to the left – and in particular for the losses suffered by the Sweden Democrats. That's the claim being made by the party as it grapples with a surprise electoral reverse in Sunday's election.But is it accurate to say that immigrants won this election for the Left?Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Kristersson resigns as PM after Sweden's centre-left opposition wins electionJimmie Åkesson reportedly plans break if Sweden Democrats enter oppositionOPINION: The misunderstood Centre Party could learn from Ebba Busch'It's tighter than I thought': How do foreigners in Sweden feel about the election?What does Sweden's unexpectedly close election result mean for foreigners?Swedish government scenarios: What happens now?Thumbnail on Spotify: Social Democrat party leader Magdalena Andersson and party secretary Tobias Baudin celebrate with supporter on election night. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All three parties in the governing coalition increased their vote share while the Sweden Democrats lost ground.On the left, meanwhile, the Social Democrats had a terrible election, while all the other parties had something to celebrate.So why did the government parties do better than expected? What went wrong for the two biggest parties on the right and left?And what is Sweden's next government likely to look like? Nicholas Aylott, associate politics professor at Södertörn University, gives his views in a conversation with The Local's Richard Orange.  READ ALSO:Centre Party 'ready to start talks' with Social Democrats on new Swedish government Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra our panelists try to make sense of a dizzying election night.Sweden's election threw up some major surprises on Sunday night.The Liberals cleared the parliamentary threshold by a respectable margin having languished way beneath the four percent limit ever since the last election.The Social Democrats are seemingly on course for their worst election ever – but leader Magdalena Andersson could still be headed for a second stint as Sweden's prime minister.The incumbent, Ulf Kristersson, meanwhile can breathe a sigh of relief as his Moderate Party regained its position as Sweden's second biggest party.Their rise came at the expense of the Sweden Democrats, whose vote share dropped for the first time ever in a national election.But what does it all mean for the business of forming a new government?Host James Savage is joined this week by podcast regulars Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:What does Sweden's unexpectedly close election result mean for foreigners? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Joy for Liberals as support swells, Sweden Democrats and Left Party hit by scandals, immigration in focus in TV debate, billionaires duel over which side to back, and poor school results throw a spanner in the works. Two of Sweden's wealthiest people, Jacob Wallenberg and Martin Lorentzon, warned in the Financial Times this week about the risks of a left-wing government. Another, Robert Weil, shot back, saying he was more concerned about “an ethno-nationalist and authoritarian policy where the issue of migration is allowed to dominate at the expense of other issues and interests."Meanwhile, the Liberals are poised to clear the 4 percent threshold they need to get into parliament, according to a new Novus poll showing that the party had leapt from 1.9 percent to 5.8 percent.The poll follows others that showed significant gains for the Liberals after months in which the party has languished well under the threshold, leaving many commentators to all but write off their chances – and those of Ulf Kristersson's government.On Sunday we'll find out if the Prime Minister's coalition has done enough to claw their way back or if Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson gets a second bite at the top job. Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Swedish election blog: Who will govern Sweden after September 13th?Swedish Liberal Party soars over parliamentary threshold in new pollPolitics in Sweden: Immigration is on the agenda, but the debate is surrealTop Swedish investor slams Wallenberg's 'shameful' election scaremongeringRussian partner of top Sweden Democrat accused of pro-Putin postsOPINION: Has Jimmie Åkesson been playing the Swedish media like a fiddle? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Ludvig Aspling, migration spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats. This week we are turning a spotlight on the two parties most likely to shape Sweden's immigration policy after the September 13th election.Yesterday we heard from Ida Karkiainen, the Social Democrats' immigration spokesperson. Today we'll hear a conversation The Local's Richard Orange had with her counterpart from the Sweden Democrats, Ludvig Aspling. This interview took place in early August, a week before parliament voted on a so-called ‘safety valve' to end teen deportations, which is one of the topics discussed in the episode. The Sweden Democrats were long a pariah in Swedish politics due to their Nazi roots. But as the largest party on the right in the 2022 election they emerged as one of the main architects of the Tidö agreement underpinning the government's so-called paradigm shift on immigration over the past four years.The shift has seen Sweden get much tougher on asylum immigration, work and residence permits and citizenship, with many of the policies directly impacting a lot of readers of The Local.With that in mind, make sure to tune in to this week's main episode of Sweden in Focus, which we expect to come out on Friday, for discussion and analysis of these interviews with the main immigration spokespeople for two of Sweden's biggest rival parties.So what can foreigners in Sweden expect if the right holds on to power after the election on Sunday and the Sweden Democrats receive ministerial posts for the first time, and how happy is Ludvig Aspling with how Sweden's immigration landscape has changed over the last four years?Tune in for the full interview. READ ALSO:'If you came to work in Sweden because of relaxed citizenship rules, I don't want you' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Ida Karkiainen, migration spokesperson for the Social Democrats. With the Swedish election just days away, the podcast this week features conversations The Local's Richard Orange had recently with two of the people in with a strong chance of becoming Sweden's next migration minister: Ida Karkiainen of the Social Democrats and Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats.First up: Ida Karkiainen. She is immigration spokesperson for the Social Democrats, and with her party tipped to lead Sweden's next government we wanted to find out what direction Sweden would take on immigration under their leadership.The Social Democrats have been broadly on board with many of the changes to migration law ushered in by the current government but they have also been critical of a number of issues, such at how the government has handled the teen deportation scandal and its failure to allow transitional rules for citizenship applicants.Tune in for the full interview. READ ALSO:'We don't want people who are integrated in Sweden to be forced to leave'Social Democrats plan huge inquiry to clean up Swedish immigration law Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Right closing the gap on Sweden's left-wing opposition, party pledges explained, and could an extremist in Örebro get into the Riksdag? Oh, and fermented herring season is upon us.A poll released this week showed the Sweden's government further closing the gap on the opposition. An election that looked like a foregone conclusion is now anything but. Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Swedish opposition parties' lead collapses in shock new pollKEY POINTS: How party election pledges could affect foreigners in SwedenPolitics in Sweden: The small-town demagogue aiming for a Riksdag spotFood & DrinkWhat you need to know before trying Sweden's fermented herring Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Sweden in shock after school sword attack, Sweden Democrats say no to tactical voting, Migration Agency weighs in on Brexit deportations, and what do foreign parents find strange about Swedish schools?Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Liberal leader begs for tactical votesEarly voting opens in Sweden – 18 days before electionSweden's right-wing bloc gains ground in new polls as election nearsCrimeSecond man held over fatal Fagersta school attackBrexit'Ripped from a loved one': British-Swedish couple separated by Brexit deportation'Brexit can hardly have come as a surprise': Sweden defends expelling BritsSchoolsWhat foreign parents think of schools in Sweden  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For a recent article on the real-life effects of Sweden's immigration laws on families in Sweden, The Local's Mandy Pipher spoke with a Swedish-American couple who are both biological scientists and living in Uppsala.The pair met a decade ago when Anna-Karin moved to Chicago for a postdoctoral position in immunology and flu vaccine research. Chris, also a biologist, was finishing his immunology PhD at the same university. Three years later, when Anna-Karin was moving back to Sweden for another work opportunity, the two were a committed couple, and they made plans for Chris to follow to Sweden as soon as possible.By the summer of 2021, Chris was on his way to Sweden with a job offer from Karolinska, Sweden's prestigious medical research institute in hand.But despite have a Swedish spouse, owning a home together in Sweden, speaking Swedish, and doing years of valuable work at one of Sweden's top research institutes, Chris was given just days to leave the country or risk being served with a Schengen area entry ban. READ ALSO:'I felt betrayed by my country': Swedish scientist blasts treatment of US husband Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: Sweden Democrats campaign hard, Brexit deportations, citizenship tests and the "caterpillar from hell". With just over three weeks to go until Sweden's election, the campaign is intensifying. But reaching voters is trickier than usual this year thanks to new EU limits on political advertising. This might explain an explosion of political posters, sponsored buses and creative political rallies.Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Swedish bus operator removes anti-immigration ads after drivers call in sickCentre Party bets on Tidö bloc collapse to open door for new coalitionWorking in SwedenMen with foreign names hit hardest by hiring bias in SwedenBrexitOPINION: The EU is betraying Brexit Brits in SwedenHealth'Caterpillar from hell' moth found in Sweden – but biologist says no need to panic Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gustav Magnuson and Luisa Fernandez met in Costa Rica in 2018 when Gustav was there on a cycling trip of Central and South America. The two felt such a strong and immediate connection that Gustav never made it farther south on his cycling tour. Instead, he stayed with Louisa in San Jose.A few years later the two were married and are now living in Stockholm with their one-year-old child.In an interview with The Local's Mandy Pipher they explain how Swedish immigration law is affecting their family life and their peace of mind.READ ALSO:'I feel shame and rage': Immigration clampdown hits Swedes close to home Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was the week in which the Swedish election campaign started to take some kind of shape. If the focus in 2022 was all crime and immigration, this time it looks like the economy is taking centre stage. What are the big differences between the parties, and what might all this mean for how the election develops?We also look this week at revelations about spies' activities in Sweden and we ask why Swedish authorities went public with this right now.Also, Richard has been digging into teen deportations – and has discovered that the problem is more widespread that the Swedish media previously reported.And is Hollywood actor Joel Kinnaman right to claim that Swedish attitudes to drugs are hopelessly out of date?Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:2026 Swedish election Sweden's Centre Party won't support Social Democrats if they keep sick day promiseSweden's Moderates outline 70 billion kronor savings to fund election pledgesSweden's Social Democrats promise extra child benefits for holidaysTeen deportations Sweden's teen deportations were far more widespread than reportedDrugsOPINION: Sweden needs politicians who stand up for sin Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden in Focus is back! James Savage, Richard Orange and Mandy Pipher look chew over the latest from Sweden, including:Scandal hits Sweden Democrats and Left Party Is tipping now the norm in Sweden?How do you eat a crayfish?The Sweden Democrats' Ludvig Aspling tells us why he thinks high-skilled immigrants don't care about citizenship.Articles discussed in this episode:'I feel shame and rage': Immigration clampdown hits Swedes close to home (interview with Gustav and Luisa)'I felt betrayed by my country': Swedish scientist blasts treatment of US husband (Interview with Anna-Karin and Chris)Sweden's opposition hope to vote down two-year wait for family reunion (interview with Annika Hirvonen)Swedish Left Party MP apologises for 'accidental' support message to terrorist Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does an American chef notice when he transplants himself to Sweden? John Klopson, known as Lost Chef in Sweden on Instagram and TikTok, talks to James Savage of his love for Swedish bread and dairy, and asks why Swedes use so much salt. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI looks set to cause huge disruption to the world of work and to almost all aspects of our lives. Yet while Sweden is home to some leading AI companies, Swedish politicians are not rising to the major challenges that the technology poses, says author and AI expert Johan Falk to James Savage.Read more: Politics in Sweden: Why are Swedish politicians so silent on AI?Johan Falk's English Substack Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Local's weekly podcast with news from Sweden. This week, James Savage, Emma Löfgren and Mandy Pipher discuss a new poll of The Local's readers on the highs and lows of living in Sweden. We also talk about what the government hopes to achieve by slashing taxes on fuel and public transport, and on an interview we did with migration minister Johan Forssell.Read more on the subjects we talk about in this episode:Swedish migration minister: 'One day you're a Nazi, the next a left-wing activist' POLL: Foreign residents love Sweden, but are afraid they'll be forced outSweden becomes one of Europe's cheapest countries for petrol and diesel Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden's Nordic editor Richard Orange was in Visby this week at the Almedalen political festival. One of the many people he spoke to was Niels Paarup-Petersen, who is the migration, education and digitalisation spokesperson for the Centre Party. On a walk through the city's medieval streets they discussed the chances of the government surviving after the election. And what would a new government do about transitional rules for citizenship? Also, are Sweden's political parties too wedded to incremental growth? Is it time to get a lot more ambitious in the age of AI? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week host James Savage and regular panelist Richard Orange record the podcast from Almedalen, the annual politics fest in Visby on the Baltic island of Gotland. They are joined for a lively politics conversation by Henrik Torehammar, a political commentator for the Svenska Dagbladet newspaper. Almedalen is sometime criticised as an event for Sweden's elites, but how elitist can any event really be in what Torehammar calls a "bicycle monarchy" famed for its flat hierarchies? Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's Moderate Party is edging towards a disastrous election if polls are to be believed. Can he pull a result out of the fire at the eleventh hour? The opposition parties look poised to snatch power. But will some pretty major ideological differences act as a stumbling block for the Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson? And what issues are likely to dominate in the run-up to the September election. Immigration? Climate? Or could the rise of AI make its presence felt on the campaign trail? Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:PoliticsWhy are Swedish politicians so silent on AI?Sweden Democrat leader takes aim at Social Democrats in key speechSweden Democrats launch retro election campaign to make 'Sweden like Sweden again'More than half of voters think Sweden's government will lose electionStay on top of the Swedish election: How to follow The Local's coverage  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this year the Fair Transition campaign group tried to convince Swedish decision makers to introduce transitional rules for the citizenship reforms which came into force on June 6th.Two months have now passed since the Swedish parliament voted against transitional rules by the smallest of margins after the far-right Sweden Democrats sent in two MPs who were supposed to be withheld from the vote.So what now for the campaigners fighting on behalf of the 100,000 citizenship applicants waiting in the citizenship queue? The Local's editor Emma Löfgren caught up with the group's spokesman Patrick Gallen to find out more about Fair Transitions plans as they prepare to mount a legal challenge in Sweden's migration courts.  READ ALSO:Sweden Democrats accused of cheating to block transitional rules for citizenship Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instead of a news roundup Sweden in Focus this week consists of a conversation with a journalist who has contributed several articles to The Local recently charting the immigrant experience. Faisal Khan ended up in Sweden after life in Afghanistan became "unbearable" for him and his family. It was a country he knew little about but soon came to appreciate. Despite a rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric he's hopeful Sweden can "correct course" and focus on finding solutions to real societal problems without seeking scapegoats. "I love everything about Sweden. I love its bad weather. I love its bad jokes, even though I don't understand most of them. My body doesn't accept the cold weather but I'm still optimistic," he says.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for an end-of-year quiz as we look back at the stories that shaped Sweden in 2025. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The year kicked off with revelations that Sweden's national security advisor had mislaid highly sensitive documents and ended with the country's right-wing leaders meeting in the Prime Minister's home to hatch plans for election year.But how much do our contestants remember? And can you outperform them? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden is one of the worst countries in Europe when it comes to providing job opportunities for educated foreigners, according to an investigation last year by Lighthouse Reports and media outlets including the Financial Times. The study found for example that Sweden had the second-worst employment gap for college-educated migrants and that 68 percent of immigrants educated abroad were overqualified for their job.In this week's episode The Local's contributor Amélie Reichmuth speaks about this issue of "brain waste" in Sweden with Laurence Romani, who is a professor and Director of the Center for Responsible Leadership at the Stockholm School of Economics. Tackling Sweden's ‘brain waste': How employers can unlock migrant talentREAD ALSO:How many immigrants are overqualified for their jobs in Sweden?Want to build your Swedish network? Here's where to startHow to play office politics in Sweden... and survive  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode we look at the past, present and future of cricket in Sweden.With interest soaring in Sweden in recent years, The Local's James Savage attended an event recently introducing Swedish parliamentarians to the sport. To get a feel for the state of the game in Sweden, James spoke to the event's organizer, Nagendra Siddoutam from Anchor Sports, and Mattias Karlsson, a Moderate Party politician. Host Paul O'Mahony is also joined by The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange, who previously wrote a series of articles detailing a scandal that led to the national federation being stripped of its funding.Earlier this year the Swedish Sports Federation ended the cricket organisation's suspension and enthusiasts are now once again focused on bringing the sport to as many people as possible in Sweden. READ ALSO:LONG READ: How Cricket in Sweden went from triumph to near disasterSwedish Cricket Federation escapes suspension after two yearsCricket is booming in Sweden, thanks to migrants Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Hanna Geurtsen, the Migration Agency official responsible for overseeing a new list of jobs which could be exempted from a future salary threshold for work permits. She tells us how and why the list was put together, what it consists of, and what practical impact, if any, it is likely to have.Membership+ subscribers can listen to the interview in the latest episode of Sweden in Focus Extra.Read also: Swedish Migration Agency rates just two jobs as 'high risk' for work permitsREVEALED: The 152 jobs that could be excused minimum salary for a Swedish work permit Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time again to learn some Swedish as our panelists try their hand at the tricky vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam. Host Paul O'Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode we once again bring you a Swedish language quiz as The Local's journalists answer multiple choice questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode we bring you a language quiz in which we put The Local's journalists through their paces with questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, James Savage talks to former US Ambassador Erik Ramanathan about how much the Trump presidency is really changing the relationship between Sweden and the US. He also has an interview with campaigner Khrystyna Hevchuk about the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Sweden. And Helena Renström from Skellefteå municipality talks about what Northvolt's bankruptcy means for work permit holders there. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2013 Jamil Walli, a journalist, filmmaker and painter, moved to Sweden from Damascus as an exchange student. Two years later, tens of thousands of his compatriots fled Syria to seek shelter in the country he has since come to call home. As a journalist, he documented the stories of those fleeing persecution as part of a project for The Local where he interviewed asylum seekers in Arabic about their new lives in Sweden and how they were adapting.This makes him very well placed to talk about his experience of what became known as the refugee crisis of 2015 when an unprecedented 163,000 asylum seekers made their way to Sweden.After gaining citizenship in 2019 he went on to pursue studies in filmmaking, graduating in 2022 with a film that tackles xenophobia and what it means to be Swedish. In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, Walli explains what brought him to Sweden, his own relationship to the country, and how attitudes to immigration and immigrants have changed in the past decade.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're going to turn our attention to the year ahead with some soothsaying on what to expect in politics and the economy in 2025 and we'll also hear some of The Local's readers' predictions for the year ahead.  Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025PoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs off heavy criticism of nuclear financing plansWhat's in the Social Democrats' plan to eradicate Sweden's 'vulnerable areas'?EconomyWhat's the outlook for the Swedish labour market in 2025? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we look back at the Swedish year in news. As 2024 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the stories that shaped Sweden over the past year. Join us for an end-of-year quiz where we dive into the headlines and events that shaped the news agenda. What do you remember about the extreme weather events that kickstarted 2024? Do you recall who won Olympic gold medals for Sweden? And can you believe that it was only this year that Sweden finally joined Nato? Host Paul O'Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.Good luck! And here you can read more about each of the questions: January February March April May June July August  September October November December  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to the head of Sweden's main games industry organization about how higher salary requirements for work permit holders risk throttling growth. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by Per Strömbäck, the head of Dataspelsbranschen, or the Swedish Games, an organisation that represents companies in Sweden's innovative and highly successful video game sector.The organisation was one of many to voice concerns last year when the government announced its plans to raise salary requirements for foreign work permit holders, a move the Swedish Games Industry feared would hamper growth in a sector that depends heavily on attracting workers from outside Sweden. READ ALSO: How to switch to a career in Sweden's booming gaming industryANALYSIS: How Sweden conquered the gaming worldARCHIVE: Is Sweden's gaming industry running out of workers?Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we speak to the head of a Swedish organisation for startups and scaleups about the impact on growth of higher salary requirements for foreign work permit holders. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by Stina Lantz, the head of the industry association Swedish Incubators and Science Parks.She explains why her organisation has expressed concern about the impact on innovation of Sweden's increasingly restrictive immigration policies. As head of an organisation representing companies where foreign workers are over-represented, she also gives her view on one of the biggest news stories for immigrants in Sweden in recent times: the decision by the government to increase the salary requirement for foreign work permit holders. Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to an immigration expert about the pros and cons of moving to Sweden for work. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by Lena Rekdal, founder of the immigration and relocation company Nimmersion. They discuss what immigrants find most appealing about Sweden, how companies and their international employees are reacting to Sweden's increasingly strict immigration policies, the critical things to know when moving here, and how she would design the migration system if she were prime minister of Sweden. READ ALSO: What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?Swedish work permits granted to top international talent drop 20 percentGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to Vida Mehrannia, the wife of the Karolinska Institute researcher Ahmedreza Djalali who was sentenced to death in Iran in 2017 and was not part of a recent prisoner exchange that saw two Swedes return home. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week Vida Mehrannia. She talks about why the family moved to Sweden, what life was like for them here before her husband's arrest. Also, after the release last month of two other Swedish prisoners in Iran, she tells us about what attempts have been made to secure Ahmedreza Djalali's release and if more could be done. READ ALSO: 'Why not me?' Imprisoned academic Djalali delivers stinging rebuke over prisoner swap Wife of imprisoned academic 'disappointed' after meeting Swedish foreign minister LISTEN: Anger over Sweden's prisoner swap with Iran Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.  Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Sweden in Focus James Savage travels to the Almedalen political week on Gotland, where he asks the chief economist of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Sven-Olov Daunfeldt, whether things might get better for work permit holders any time soon.Also in this episode: Russia is waging a hybrid war against European countries including Sweden. But what does that mean, and what does a church near Västerås Airport have to do with it? James interviews expert Patrik Oksanen, fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences and senior advisor at the Fores think tank to find out.Related articles:Sweden cuts state funding for Russian church after intelligence warningsSweden's migration agency celebrates cutting waiting times for work permitsIn Detail: How Sweden plans to further toughen its work permit system Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra: Green Party joint leader Daniel Helldén on criticism of government climate policy, the EU elections, immigration and online attacks from far-right troll accounts. After a turbulent period for the party, the Greens recently put in place a new leadership duo: Daniel Helldén, previously vice mayor of Stockholm, and Amanda Lind, the former culture minister.We chat this week with Daniel Helldén to find out about the party's direction ahead of the upcoming EU election and beyond. We also ask where the party stands on new income requirements for work permit holders and what Helldén thinks of revelations about anonymous social media troll accounts run by the Sweden Democrats.THE KEY PLAYERS: Who's who in Swedish politics?Who are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does someone who grew up in a Stockholm suburb become the leader of a traditionally agrarian party? Why is the party opposed to new work permit rules? And what's it like being Sweden's first culturally Muslim party leader? This and more in our interview with Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok.In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local's publisher James Savage for a wide-ranging interview with the leader of the Centre Party, Muharrem Demirok. __Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ accessRead more about Membership+ in our help centre___In this bonus episode we speak to Gemma Swift, a marketing professional from the UK who explains how she managed to make great friends in Sweden despite warnings from fellow foreigners that her efforts might end in disappointment. Host Paul O'Mahony is briefly joined by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, before we listen to the interview with Gemma Swift. Gemma wrote an article last year that was well received by readers of The Local so we thought we'd get her to expand on some of her points. Here's the article: How to make friends in Sweden – seven things I wish someone had told me Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sign up now for Membership+ and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+Read more about Membership+ in our help centre__This week: a Swedish word for February illnesses, hitting the ski slopes, devastating Liseberg blaze, changing of the guard in the Green Party, why a Social Democrat MP with Palestinian heritage became an independent, Swedish prisons in crisis mode, and what we know so far about new salary requirements for work permit holders. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the stories and topics we discuss:VabruariSwedish word of the day: vabruariSkiingEverything you need to know about skiing on 'sportlov' in SwedenLiseberg fireHuge fire destroys new attraction at Gothenburg's Liseberg amusement parkSadly, this news came through the day after we recorded the podcast:Dead body found after fire at Gothenburg's Liseberg amusement parkPoliticsJoint leader of Sweden's Green Party announces resignationOPINION: El-Haj faced the same dilemma as all immigrant politicians in SwedenPrison crisisSwedish prison service declares 'crisis' amid cell shortageWork permitsIN BRIEF: Sweden's plans to raise work permit salary threshold to 34,200 kronor Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do many foreigners find dating in Sweden so tough, and what's the approach to take? Hear matchmaker Lemarc Thomas give his views on how to crack the Swedish dating scene. In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is briefly joined by panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton, before we listen to an interview with professional matchmaker Lemarc Thomas.  The Stockholm-based connector tells us what makes dating in Sweden so different from anything he's experienced before. He also answers questions from readers of The Local on how to proceed in a landscape where many of the usual rules no longer apply.  If you'd like to read more about dating in Sweden, make sure to check out these articles:Dating in Sweden: sex, booze and mobile phonesDating in Sweden: Is it really as tough as they say?Dating in Sweden: When is a fika a fika… and when is it a date? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: semla season, better conditions for Ukrainian refugees, why Sweden is closing its NordStream blast probe, freezer malfunction spoils decades of samples at a Swedish university, an alleged Iranian plot to kill Jews in Sweden, anti-Semitism in Sweden, and new details on stop-and-search zones. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage. We also have interview with Aron Verständig, chair of the Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities, and ethnologist Jonas Engman, curator at the Nordic Museum. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Shrove TuesdaySix sticky facts about Sweden's Fat TuesdayWhy I still don't understand the hype about Sweden's semlorSweden & UkraineSweden to change law so Ukrainians can get personal numbersNord StreamSwedish prosecutor shuts down Nord Stream investigationScience & ResearchDecades of samples destroyed in Swedish uni freezer failureAnti-SemitismIranian intelligence suspected of plot to kill Swedish JewsCrimeSweden's government to bring in stop-and-search zones in March Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: tougher rules for Sweden citizenship, French President Emanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden, new work permit system takes effect, and why Sweden needs to do more to promote understanding of indigenous Sami.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Charlotta Svonni, who conducts research on indigenous education at Umeå University.Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:CitizenshipEXPLAINED: How to get Swedish citizenship via notificationSweden moves to tighten up requirements for citizenship via notificationCan I apply for Swedish citizenship through ancestry?PoliticsSweden and France to sign nuclear and defence deals during Macron visit‘Vive les clichés!': Swedish PM mocked for Macron welcomeIN PICS: French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to SwedenWhat is ‘pyttipanna' and why is Sweden serving it up to the French president?Work permitsSwedish Migration Agency launches new system for handling work permitsSami Sweden's ‘Truth Commission' delves into painful Sami past‘Irreversible risks': UN-appointed experts urge Sweden to block mine in Sami landWhy is reindeer herding so important in Sweden?Swedish museum to return Sami remains to village Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: Ice bathing, Turkey's parliament votes on Sweden's Nato bid, top Sweden Democrat calls for ban on Islamic symbols, Sweden's complicated relationship with wolves, and how a cyber attack hit Swedish authorities and retailers.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage, and we also have an interview with Shahid Raza, who is Director of RISE Cybersecurity Unit, Research Director at Cybercampus Sweden and Professor of Cybersecurity at Mälardalen University.Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Ice bathing Ice-swimming in Sweden: Is this the world's most extreme competition?NatoTurkey's president signed off on the ratification of Sweden's Nato application a few hours after we recorded the episode, nullifying some speculation that we opted to leave out. Turkey approves Sweden's Nato application as Erdogan signs ratificationSwedish Prime Minister ‘won't negotiate' with Hungary on Nato bidEXPLAINED: What happens next for Sweden's Nato application?PoliticsTop Sweden Democrat: No paradigm shift yet in Swedish migrationOpposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweetWolvesWolf caught on camera in StockholmWild boar thrive while Sweden targets ‘mythical' wolfCyberattackSome Swedish shops start to reopen after hacker attackRussian group behind hacker attack on Swedish authorities and retailers

In this week's episode: why the centre-right has hit a new low in polls, cocaine at the Riskdag, the effects of growing unemployment and falling inflation, why opposition parties failed to depose Sweden's environment minister in a confidence vote, and why public sector workers are fuming over workplace coffee cuts. Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:Politics Cocaine found in toilets of four Swedish parties' parliamentary officesHow did Sweden end up with its zero-tolerance attitude to drugs?EconomySwedish finance minister warns more people will lose their jobsNew figures bring Swedish inflation close to two-percent targetWeatherSweden records coldest temperature of the centuryCoffeeHow to be Swedish – in ten easy stepsWhy coffee was banned in Sweden five timesSwedish word of the day: påtår

This week we discuss: the official end of Christmas, snow-fueled chaos on the E22 motorway, royal abdication speculation, and why politicians and military leaders are warning of the prospect of war in Sweden. Richard Orange stands in as host this week and is joined by regular panelists: Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.  Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:End of ChristmasWhen does Christmas end in Sweden?Swedish word of the day: julgransplundringSnow chaosUp to 1,000 cars left stranded for hours in southern Sweden snow chaosINTERVIEW: Truck driver freed from Sweden's snow gridlock after 20 hoursRoyalsWill the King of Sweden be the next Nordic royal to abdicate?DefenceTotal Defence: What's your role defending Sweden in the event of a military attack?What should foreigners in Sweden think about when preparing for a war or crisis?Swedish defence analyst: 'We should be worried about war in Sweden''There could be war in Sweden': Civil Defence Minister urges Swedes to actPM Ulf Kristersson: 'If you don't want to defend Sweden – don't be a Swedish citizen'Sweden's opposition leader slams prime minister over 'uniquely divisive' comments

This week we take a look at the stories likely to shape Sweden in 2024, from politics and Nato to minority rights, Eurovision, and the economy. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined for the preview of 2024 by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.  Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:PoliticsWhat will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?NatoTurkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet saleReader predictions'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain futureEurovisionHotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Malmö for Eurovision 2024Immigrant rightsForeigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our livesEconomyWhat's going to happen to the Swedish economy in 2024?

This week we look back at the biggest news stories in Sweden in 2023, from quran burnings and a heightened terror threat to Nato wrangling, the King's jubilee, and new income requirements for work permit holders.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined for the review of the year by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.  Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:PoliticsThe 20 events that formed Sweden's political landscape in 2023NatoTurkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet saleTerror threatWhat you need to know about Sweden's terror threatGang violence 'Our kids don't even live long enough to become adults'Salary threshold'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain futureKing's jubileeIN PICTURES: Swedes throng capital for royal jubilee