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 warnings
• Sweden's migration agency celebrates cutting waiting times for work permits
• In Detail: How Sweden plans to further toughen its work permit system

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Strawberries linked to organised crime, US designates Swedish neo-Nazis as terrorists, opinion divided over prisoner swap with Iran.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Emma Löfgren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Crime

• Illegal Swedish strawberry sales raise billions of kronor for organised crime

Terrorism

• US designates Nordic far-right group as terrorists 

Sweden and Iran

• Swedish EU diplomat freed from Iran says he's 'in seventh heaven' 
• 'Why not me?' Imprisoned academic Djalali delivers stinging rebuke over prisoner swap 

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Celebrate Midsummer like a Swede, EU election analysis, Sweden's most offensive words. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Midsummer

• The Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve

2024 European Elections

• Who are the winners and losers of Sweden's EU election? 
• Five things we learned from Sweden's surprising EU election results 
• Sweden Democrat MP steps down over racist chant 
• OPINION: Sweden Democrats have only themselves to blame for election setback 

Language

• New study reveals most offensive words in Swedish 

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Striking nurses, European election preview, Sweden Democrats' anti-Arab trolling, how can Sweden get more inclusive? 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Healthcare strike

• Nurses in Sweden launch first strike in 16 years

European elections

• Six ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscape 

Discrimination 

• Tell us: What can Sweden do to make the country more inclusive? 

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Iran accused of deploying Swedish gangs, Ebba Busch sparks anger over Islam remarks, how Sweden can make immigrants feel more welcome on National Day?

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:

Iran

• Swedish security chiefs: Iran recruits gangs to hit Israeli targets in Sweden
• Sweden calls Iranian diplomat to meeting over gang crime allegations 

European elections

• Who are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? 

National Day (and a nod to Midsummer)

• Why does Sweden celebrate National Day on June 6th? 
• The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer 

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This week in Sweden in Focus: Nurses plan to strike, Sweden Democrats vow to keep on trolling, and how can Sweden combat discrimination?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local Sweden's editor Emma Löfgren and our Nordic correspondent Richard Orange. The episode also features interviews with Greg Fernando, the founder of New to Sweden, an organisation promoting greater workplace diversity, and Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Nurses strike 

• Swedish healthcare strike: What nurses and midwives' overtime protest means for you

Troll factory

• Swedish PM won't end Sweden Democrats collaboration over 'troll factory' 
• Inside Sweden: Why troll factory won't spark a government crisis 

Discrimination

• OPINION: ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing 
• PODCAST: Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it? 

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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?

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This week: Fallout from Sweden Democrat troll factory scandal, how Stockholm has prepared for Taylor Swift, excerpts from interview with Green Party leader Daniel Helldén.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Nordic correspondent, Richard Orange. The episode also features interviews with Dagens Nyheter's reporter Evelyn Jones, Stockholm Business Region's communications director Monica Engqvist and Green Party co-leader Daniel Helldén. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Sweden Democrats 

• Sweden Democrats spread white power propaganda
• How the Sweden Democrats' 'troll factory' tries to shape the immigration debate 
• Uncovering a Sweden Democrat troll factory: 'I had to get inside to get the truth'

Taylor Swift 

• Do Taylor Swift's ancestors really come from a small parish in rural Sweden? 

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In this week's episode: Security fears and parties in Malmö for Eurovision, how lower interest rates affect people in Sweden, and Sweden Democrats get caught running a social media troll factory. 

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Eurovision

• Sweden's Eurovision brings kitsch in the shadow of Gaza 
• How Eurovision visitors can make the most of Malmö

Money

• Three ways Sweden's slashed interest rate will boost your finances 
• Which Swedish banks have the lowest mortgage rates?

Politics

• REVEALED: Sweden Democrats' secret social media 'troll factory' 

Property

• For sale: New record as flood of apartments hits the market in Sweden 
• How do you beat the stress of the Swedish property bidding frenzy?

Sabotage allegations

• Swedish rail derailments could be linked to 'Russian-backed sabotage' 

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In this week's episode: Ascension Day holiday, Nazis storm political meeting in Stockholm, preview of interview with gardening expert John Taylor, and who is the Green Party's new joint leader? 

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Lögren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Ascension Day

• Why is Ascension Day a public holiday in Sweden?

Political violence 

• EXPLAINED: What we know about the attack on a Swedish anti-fascist meeting 
• Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attack

Politics

• Dreadlocked bureaucrat: Who's the Swedish Green Party's new leader? 

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What are the main challenges for Swedish employers when recruiting internationally and how can they harness the experience of the many skilled internationals already living in Sweden?

In this special live recording of the podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined on stage by Maria Fogelström Kylberg, CEO of Stockholms Akademiska Forum, Amanda Herzog, founder of Intertalents in Sweden, and Laureline Vallée, an environmental engineer from France who recently secured her first job in Sweden.

The podcast was part of Talent Talks, an afternoon of discussions at the Stockholm Business Region offices on how to attract and retain foreign workers in Sweden. 

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This week: how Sweden voted on new gender law, horrific murder in Stockholm suburb, former Moderate Party leader faces nepotism allegations over jobs for friends.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Politics

• Sweden votes 'yes' to lowering age for legal gender change
• How Sweden's legal gender bill has split the government 
• ARCHIVE: Where did it all go wrong for ousted party leader Anna Kinberg Batra?

Crime

• Stockholm shooting victim 'completely innocent' say distraught family

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This week: Child residency permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law, and 50 years since Abba's Waterloo win. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 

As mentioned in the episode we will be recording the podcast in front of a live audience on April 24th at the offices of Stockholm Business Region as part of the Talent Talks event being held there that day.

You can sign up here if you'd like to attend. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Residency permits

• Boy who went viral raising 5 million for charity gets Swedish residence permit

Music

• How ABBA paved the way for Swedish pop 50 years ago

Politics

• ARCHIVE: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals'

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In this week's episode: Snow chaos on Sweden's roads, April Fools' traditions, government divided on new gender law, and will there be a Swedish pope?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Weather

• 'Are they on Easter holiday?': Swedish government under fire after snow chaos
• Snow chaos on Swedish E4 road 'worst since 1995'

April Fools' Day

• April Fools' is back: here are nine of this year's best jokes in Sweden

Religion 

• Swedish bishop named as possible next pope

Gender Law 

• EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s legal gender bill has split the government 

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In this week's episode: Easter opening hours, news quiz, World Happiness Report. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Easter

• Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden
• Seven must-have dishes for a very Swedish Easter celebration

Quality of life

• How happy are people in Sweden compared to the rest of the world?

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In this week's episode: Waffle Day, foiled plot to attack Sweden's parliament, Busch and Åkesson trade insults. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Waffle Day 

• How March 25th became Sweden’s national Waffle Day, thanks to mispronunciation
• Recipe: How to make traditional Swedish waffles on Waffle Day

Terror plot

• Two men held in Germany over Swedish parliament terror plot

Politics

• ARCHIVE: Sweden Democrats admit Nazi roots in new ‘white book’

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This week: New migration stats and a uniquely Swedish kids' magazine. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, and we also chat to the editor of KP, Lukas Björkman, about the children's magazine's enduringly popularity in a digital age and how to stay relevant by listening to children and ignoring parents. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Migration

• Foreigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our lives
• What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?

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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. 

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In this week's episode: Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok on how Nato membership will change Sweden. Also, who'll win Melodifestivalen?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, while James Savage and Paul interview the Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok. 

Here are links to some of the topics in the episode:

Melodifestivalen

• Why Melodifestivalen is Sweden's biggest TV show

Nato

• What does Nato membership mean for Sweden?

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In this week's episode: Reactions from Russia as Sweden creeps closer to Nato, Sweden’s support for Ukraine, the lowdown on Vasaloppet. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage. 

Here are links to some of the stories and topics we discuss:

Nato

• What does Nato membership mean for Sweden?
• Russia threatens 'countermeasures' over Sweden's Nato membership
• Podcast: Is Sweden prepared for cyber attacks?

Ukraine

• Sweden to send its largest-yet military aid package to Ukraine

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In this week's episode: how Sweden will change when it’s in Nato, why the country has an annual book sale, what you need to know about pensions in Sweden.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the stories and topics we discuss:

Nato

• What happens next for Sweden's Nato application?

Books 

• Language and literature: Essential articles for life in Sweden

Pensions

• Ten key questions to help you plan your Swedish pension now

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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

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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:

Vabruari

• Swedish word of the day: vabruari

Skiing

• Everything you need to know about skiing on 'sportlov' in Sweden

Liseberg fire

• Huge fire destroys new attraction at Gothenburg's Liseberg amusement park

Sadly, this news came through the day after we recorded the podcast:

• Dead body found after fire at Gothenburg's Liseberg amusement park

Politics

• Joint leader of Sweden's Green Party announces resignation
• OPINION: El-Haj faced the same dilemma as all immigrant politicians in Sweden

Prison crisis

• Swedish prison service declares 'crisis' amid cell shortage

Work permits

• IN BRIEF: Sweden's plans to raise work permit salary threshold to 34,200 kronor

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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 phones
• Dating 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?

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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 Tuesday

• Six sticky facts about Sweden's Fat Tuesday
• Why I still don't understand the hype about Sweden's semlor

Sweden & Ukraine

• Sweden to change law so Ukrainians can get personal numbers

Nord Stream

• Swedish prosecutor shuts down Nord Stream investigation

Science & Research

• Decades of samples destroyed in Swedish uni freezer failure

Anti-Semitism

• Iranian intelligence suspected of plot to kill Swedish Jews

Crime

• Sweden's government to bring in stop-and-search zones in March

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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:

Citizenship

• EXPLAINED: How to get Swedish citizenship via notification
• Sweden moves to tighten up requirements for citizenship via notification
• Can I apply for Swedish citizenship through ancestry?

Politics

• Sweden and France to sign nuclear and defence deals during Macron visit
• ‘Vive les clichés!’: Swedish PM mocked for Macron welcome
• IN PICS: French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Sweden
• What is ‘pyttipanna’ and why is Sweden serving it up to the French president?

Work permits

• Swedish Migration Agency launches new system for handling work permits

Sami 

• Sweden’s ‘Truth Commission’ delves into painful Sami past
• ‘Irreversible risks’: UN-appointed experts urge Sweden to block mine in Sami land
• Why is reindeer herding so important in Sweden?
• Swedish museum to return Sami remains to village

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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?

Nato

Turkey’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 ratification
• Swedish Prime Minister ‘won’t negotiate’ with Hungary on Nato bid
• EXPLAINED: What happens next for Sweden’s Nato application?

Politics

• Top Sweden Democrat: No paradigm shift yet in Swedish migration
• Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet

Wolves

• Wolf caught on camera in Stockholm
• Wild boar thrive while Sweden targets ‘mythical’ wolf

Cyberattack

• Some Swedish shops start to reopen after hacker attack
• Russian group behind hacker attack on Swedish authorities and retailers

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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 offices
• How did Sweden end up with its zero-tolerance attitude to drugs?

Economy

• Swedish finance minister warns more people will lose their jobs
• New figures bring Swedish inflation close to two-percent target

Weather

• Sweden records coldest temperature of the century

Coffee

• How to be Swedish – in ten easy steps
• Why coffee was banned in Sweden five times
• Swedish word of the day: påtår

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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 Christmas

• When does Christmas end in Sweden?
• Swedish word of the day: julgransplundring

Snow chaos

• Up to 1,000 cars left stranded for hours in southern Sweden snow chaos
• INTERVIEW: Truck driver freed from Sweden's snow gridlock after 20 hours

Royals

• Will the King of Sweden be the next Nordic royal to abdicate?

Defence

• Total 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 act
• PM 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

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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:

Politics

• What will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?

Nato

• Turkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet sale

Reader predictions

• 'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain future

Eurovision

• Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Malmö for Eurovision 2024

Immigrant rights

• Foreigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our lives

Economy

• What's going to happen to the Swedish economy in 2024?

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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:

Politics

• The 20 events that formed Sweden's political landscape in 2023

Nato

• Turkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet sale

Terror threat

• What you need to know about Sweden's terror threat

Gang 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 future

King's jubilee

• IN PICTURES: Swedes throng capital for royal jubilee
• 
  

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In this week's episode: Christmas travel, birds attack giant straw goat, White Christmas dreams, rumours of a new political party, and what can immigrants do to increase their prospects of landing a job in Sweden? 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Amanda Herzog, an American marketing expert who runs a company offering courses to international job seekers.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Christmas travel

• What to be aware of when travelling in Sweden this Christmas

Gävle goat

• Sweden's Gävle goat is Christmas dinner for peckish birds
• GOATWATCH: Here's how you can livestream Sweden's Christmas goat

Weather

• Is Sweden heading for a white Christmas?

Politics

• What will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?

Working in Sweden

• If skilled foreigners can't find work, does Sweden have a talent shortage?

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This week: banks cut rates, the state of Sweden’s democracy, new Pisa rankings, how child refugees have integrated, the ex-Syrian banker behind a successful hummus restaurant, government counts cost of migration, compulsory courses for newcomers, Lucia, Nobel banquet.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage and Emma Löfgren.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Economy

• Which Swedish banks now offer the cheapest mortgage rates?

Politics

• Is Sweden sliding towards autocracy one year on from the election?
• LISTEN: Does Sweden's new coalition deal threaten basic rights?

Education

• Swedish students' maths and reading scores plunge in Pisa world rankings

Immigration

• IN DATA: Why have so many of Sweden's Afghan child refugees got jobs?
• Syrian banker applied for 'over 2,000' jobs in Sweden before creating his own
• Sweden's government calls for investigation into cost of immigration
• What do we know about plans to make a compulsory 'Sweden course' for immigrants?

Saint Lucia

• What you need to know about celebrating Lucia in Sweden

Nobel banquet

• The dinner that proves Sweden is anything but lagom

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This week: Jimmie Åkesson talks about demolishing mosques, the latest on the Tesla strike, Sweden’s Advent celebrations, solutions journalism, and why some criminologists think it’s time for Sweden to ditch zero tolerance on drugs.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Lögren and Richard Orange.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Tesla strike

• Inside Sweden: How will the Tesla strike end?
• Tesla sues Swedish state agency over number plate blockage

Advent 

• Julmys: How to get into the Christmas spirit like a Swede
• Swedish word of the day: advent

Solutions journalism

• Seven things we've learned about adding a solutions focus to reporting on migration
• As Europe comes out of lockdown, what lessons can be learned from Sweden?

Drugs 

• INTERVIEW: The past, present and future of Sweden's zero-tolerance drug policy

Sweden Democrats

• Sweden Democrat leader calls for mosques to be demolished
• Why Sweden's far-right leader is showing his radical side
• Why the Sweden Democrats are still a far-right party
• LISTEN: How the Sweden Democrats are flirting with the extreme right
• ARCHIVE: Islam 'Sweden's biggest threat': far-right leader

Swedish habits

• How to handle these 10 maddeningly Swedish passive-aggressive habits

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, and we also have an interview with Northern Lights tour operator Chad Blakley.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Eurovision

• How to get tickets for Eurovision in Malmö
• How much can I charge if I rent out my home on Airbnb in Sweden?

Permanent residency 

• EXPLAINED: What do we know about Sweden’s plans to withdraw permanent residency?

Flat hierarchies 

• OPINION: Why Sweden’s flat hierarchy can make people seem boring

Life expectancy 

• IN DATA: Why do people in Stockholm live the longest lives in Scandinavia?

Northern Lights

• ‘I found the American dream in Swedish Lapland’
• How to take the best pictures of the Northern Lights

Politics

• Left Party and Sweden Democrat congresses
• How to take the best pictures of the Northern Lights

Cost of Living

• Sweden’s central bank leaves interest rate unchanged
• Swedish food prices 26 percent higher than two years ago – which items are worst affected?
• How much will life in Sweden cost you in 2024?

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In this week's episode: practical Swedes, saying hej to strangers, dithering Liberals, Sweden awaits central bank decision, climate movement split over Greta Thunberg's Palestine support, how Swedish attitudes to Israel-Palestine have changed over the years. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, and we also have an interview with the author and former ambassador Mathias Mossberg.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Fitting in

• Ten signs you’re becoming more Swedish than the Swedes

Saying hi

• Swedish city launches campaign to get locals to say ‘hi’

Politics

• Family in focus as Busch kicks off November congresses

Greta Thunberg

• Greta Thunberg slammed over pro-Palestinian statements at climate rally

Israel-Hamas war

• How the Israel-Gaza attacks became party politics in Sweden

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This week on Sweden in Focus: TV history show provokes debate, far-right leader gives speech in Arabic, Sweden's media subsidy system explained, surviving November, and how a wave of international arrests is affect Sweden's gang conflict.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Expressen’s crime reporter Katrin Krantz.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

History of Sweden 

• OPINION: Why are racists in Sweden angry at history?
• ARCHIVE: Who were the first Scandinavians?

Sweden Democrat speech 

• OPINION: Åkesson’s speech may be in Arabic, but it’s for Swedish speakers

Swedish media subsidies 

Mentioned at the end of this article: 

• EXPLAINED: Swedish newspapers and how they work

Swedish November survival

• How to love November in Sweden (no, seriously!)
• Baby, it’s mörv outside: Sweden’s 13th month is here
• Is this Swedish Christmas trend the secret to happiness?
• Heartwarming story about Gothenburg’s public library goes viral

Gangs

• Who’s who in Sweden’s gang conflict?

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In this week's Sweden in Focus we discuss: industrial action hits Tesla and Klarna, fears that new salary requirements for work permit holders will undermine the Swedish labour market model, how an oil spill and new fishing quotas have put the Baltic Sea in focus , and an ill-tempered battle for control of Sweden’s Green Party.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Strikes

• Tesla threatens to bring in strikebreakers as Swedish workers strike
• INTERVIEW: Is Klarna ready for the Swedish model?
• Historic strike called off after Klarna signs collective bargaining agreement

Work permits

• ‘Irresponsible experiment’: Swedish business leader slams higher work permit threshold
• ARCHIVE: Is the Swedish Model the fairest of them all?

Baltic Sea

• Clean-up after Sweden ferry oil spill could last ‘up to a year’

Politics

• Poll misery for the government and the warring Greens
• Is the Green Party’s past to blame for its current problems?

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This week: Halloween, Nato, cable damage in the Baltic Sea, popular TV shows, and we answer readers' questions on Sweden's new salary requirement for work permit holders. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton.

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Here are links to stories we discuss this week:

Halloween

• Opinion: What can Sweden learn from embracing the American Halloween tradition?

All Saints

• Swedish word of the day: allhelgonadagen

Nato & Baltic security 

• Turkish president sends Sweden’s Nato application to parliament
• Swedish government: ‘External force’ damaged cable between Sweden and Estonia

Swedish TV series 

• Are Swedes funny? Explaining the many types of Swedish jokes– includes regular panelist Richard Orange‘s opinion on På spåret.
• Swedish reality TV show brings Swedish-Americans back ‘home’

Work permits

• ‘We’re losing the life we built in Sweden’: Work permit holders dread uncertain future
• Who will fill Sweden’s labour gap when immigrants leave?
• Reader question: Can I meet Sweden’s new work permit threshold by working multiple jobs?
• What counts as salary under Sweden's new work permit threshold?

Correction: A previous version of the podcast incorrectly stated that OB-tillägg can never be counted as salary. It can, if it is regular and mentioned in your employment contract. We apologise for the confusion.

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In this week's episode we look at the latest Covid recommendations, how the far-right Sweden Democrats are using their new-found power, why immigrants kickstart so many events in Sweden, and why a terrorist targeted and murdered two Swedish football fans in Brussels. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Covid-19

• Who should get vaccinated against Covid in Sweden and when?

Immigration 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s inquiry on taking asylum rules to EU minimum
• Sweden Democrats: ‘We’ve been too generous on asylum for too long’

Foreigners take the initiative 

• Why Sweden should protect its fantastic popular education organisations
• How can I watch the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Sweden?
• How the Nordics lead Europe in Indian Durga Puja celebrations

Brussels terror attack

• Why were Swedes targeted in the Brussels terror attack?
• Leading Sweden Democrat criticised for Brussels attack tweet
• Brussels gunman served prison time in Sweden

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In this bonus episode of Sweden in Focus, we speak to the Social Democratic former education minister Anna Ekström about Nordic 'folk high schools', budget cuts to study associations, worsening segregation in Sweden's schools, why boys are underperforming, and whether Sweden needs more external grading.

In Saturday’s episode, the former government minister talked about ‘folkbildning’ as a particularly Nordic approach to education. 

Here we continue the conversation as Anna Ekström talks about her roles within the ABF study association, the history of the wider folkbildning movement, and the challenges faced today by the Swedish education system. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton.

Here are links to some related stories, starting with Richard Orange‘s recent article on his own experience with the ABF study association:

• Why Sweden should protect its fantastic popular education organisations

Budget cuts to folkbildning

• Sweden still ‘a land of possibilities’ for foreigners says finance minister

School segregation 

• LISTEN: How can Sweden make its schools less segregated?
• ARCHIVE: What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed?

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In this week's episode: Foxtrot leader reportedly arrested in Iran, Swedish reaction to Israel-Hamsas war, and lots of reaction to Sweden's new pay threshold for work permits. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and this week’s guest, Sweden’s former education minister Anna Ekström, who also has a background as a labour law lawyer.  

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Gang crime

• How likely is it that Iran hands over Swedish gang leader Rawa Majid?

Israel-Hamas war

• Malmö mayor slams celebrations of attack on Israel
• Foreign ministry to evacuate Swedes from Israel and Palestine

Work permits

• ‘We’re losing the life we built in Sweden’: Work permit holders dread uncertain future
• All The Local’s latest work permit stories

Listeners in Sweden seeking support about mental health about can contact mental health awareness organization Mind or call Sweden’s national health hotline 1177 for help in English.

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In this week's episode: weak krona means less Nobel prize money, Sweden’s government plans more surveillance, what the future holds for Scandinavian Airlines, how work permit holders will be affected by a new salary threshold, how organised crime networks in Sweden are opening healthcare centres. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also hear from criminologist Manne Gerell from Malmö University.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Foreign minister’s passport

• Swedish foreign minister misses Kyiv summit after forgetting passport

Nobel prize week

• Nobel Prize winners left short-changed by weak Swedish krona
• Sweden-based scientist becomes fifth woman to win Nobel Physics Prize
• All The Local’s latest Nobel prize stories

Plans for new police powers

• Swedish government to launch ‘rapid inquiry’ into increased surveillance

Scandinavian Airlines

• Air France-KLM to buy almost one fifth of SAS

Work permits

• Sweden to roll out new work permit minimum salary next month
• How Sweden’s new work permit salary threshold will work in practice
• Tell us: How will Sweden’s new salary threshold for work permits affect you?

Gang funding

• Swedish gang criminals ‘branching out into healthcare sector’

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In this week's episode: Is Sweden underfunding schools and healthcare?; motorway mudslide; Turkey gives fresh impetus to Sweden's Nato bid; why northern Sweden needs foreign workers, and Prime Minister wants military help to crack down on gangs.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange, and we also hear from the Skellefteå-based journalist Paul Connolly.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Politics in Sweden

• Why Sweden’s finance minister is willing to be unpopular

Landslide

• IN NUMBERS: Sweden’s lucky escape as landslide causes huge motorway sinkhole
• Swedish motorway landslide: What happens next?

Nato latest

• ‘Not urgent’ for Sweden to join Nato, says Hungary’s Viktor Orbán
• Turkey agrees to approve Sweden’s Nato application in return for fighter jets

Jobs in northern Sweden

• Meet the foreigners moving to northern Sweden to turn industry green
• Five things I love about northern Sweden

Gang violence

• Swedish prime minister seeks military help to crack down on gangs
• Who’s who in Sweden’s gang conflict?
• How could Sweden put an end to its deadly wave of gang crime?

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In this week's podcast we discuss: mushroom foraging tips, why Sweden's highest mountain is melting, how the new budget will affect you, and what are the underlying factors behind a vicious new wave of violence in Sweden's ongoing gang feuds? 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, as well as the Swedish crime reporter Katrin Krantz from the Expressen newspaper.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Mushrooms

• How to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your life

Kebnekaise

• How I tamed Sweden's highest peak

Budget

• How will the 2024 budget affect foreigners in Sweden?
• How Sweden's 2024 budget could affect your finances
• Sweden's emissions to rise as budget relaxes green targets to fight inflation

Gang wars

• Timeline: Seven fatal shootings in ten days in Sweden
• Swedish police chief warns of 'unprecedented' wave of gang killings

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In this week's episode: Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates 50 years on the throne, several countries block Swedish pork after swine fever outbreak, unemployment on the rise, and Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard on why Swedish citizenship 'must be respected and protected'.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Sweden’s migration minister, Maria Malmer Stenegard.

Please take our survey: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Quiz

• QUIZ: How much do you know about King Carl XVI Gustaf?
• How is Sweden celebrating the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf?

Swine fever

• Countries block Swedish pork over swine fever outbreak

Unemployment

• Everything you need to know if you lose your job in Sweden
• Eight predictions about the Swedish economy over the next few years

Citizenship

• What we know so far about Sweden’s new citizenship proposal
• Migration minister: ‘Swedish citizenship must be respected and protected to a greater extent’

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In this week's episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast, our panelists are talking about fermented herring, the biggest trial in Swedish history, how the 'paradigm shift' in migration policy is affecting foreigners, and the reawakening of a debate on joining the euro.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, and we also hear from one of Sweden’s foremost economists, Lars Calmfors.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Stinky fish

• Why Swedish fermented herring is more fun than crayfish

Lundin Oil

• Biggest trial in Swedish history gets under way: Top oil executives face court

Sweden’s migration shift

• Foreigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our lives
• Swedish work permit overhaul ready ‘by start of next year’

Euro debate

• Should Sweden abandon a weak krona for the euro?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage and Becky Waterton, as well as Julia Agha, publisher of the Arabic-language news service Al Kompis. 

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Here are some of the stories discussed:

Timeline

• IN DATES: A short history of Sweden's Quran-burning crisis
• EXPLAINED: How did a far-right extremist derail Sweden's Nato application?

Easter riots

• Riots over Quran burning test Swedish tolerance
• PODCAST: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades

Social climate for Muslims in Sweden

• Muslims in Sweden 'particularly at risk of discrimination': report
• Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet

What does the law say?

• EXPLAINED: What could Sweden actually do to stop its Quran burnings?

Danish ban

• Denmark announces ban on Quran burnings

Julia's previous appearance on the podcast

• PODCAST: Election fever, energy prices, and why integration is a two-way street

Terror threat

• What you need to know about Sweden's terror threat
• INTERVIEW: Terror threat against Sweden is unprecedented, expert warns

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren, while James Savage calls in from Almedalen. 

This week we discuss:

Airline strike

Employers and unions have negotiated a settlement meaning the strike due to start on July 3rd has been called off. Follow the latest updates on our travel news page. 

Deadly rollercoaster accident 

• Gröna Lund: What we know about Sweden's fatal rollercoaster crash

Sex workers told to pay tax 

• 'No room for interpretation': Swedish sex workers told to pay tax

Rental reform 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden's plans to free up private rental market

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton.

This week we discuss:

Russia threat

• Russia could pose threat to Sweden 'for decades'

Lack of diversity in business 

• How diverse is company leadership in Sweden?

Economy latest

• Swedish economy expected to pick up again 'late this year'

Summer holidays

• Why do the Swedes take such long summer holidays?
• How to have a cheap holiday in Sweden this summer
• Swedish word of the day: allemansrätten

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton.

This week we discuss:

Beyoncé

• Bills, bills bills: Beyoncé blamed for Sweden's inflation disappointment

Midsummer

• The Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve

Smoke-free Sweden

• How Sweden got close to stubbing out smoking for good

 Nato latest

• Turkish president dampens hopes of Sweden joining Nato in July
• Hungary set to vote on Sweden Nato bid before July summit

Gang crime

• How could Sweden put an end to its deadly wave of gang crime?
• IN STATS: How safe is Sweden in comparison to similar countries?

The interview with the crime reporter Diamant Salihu that we refer to in the episode was published in two parts on February 4th and 7th if you'd like to go back and listen. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton.

This week we discuss:

Sex lies

• Fact check: Has Sweden really recognised sex as an official sport?

Drought fears

• IN MAPS: What the drought could mean for Sweden this summer
• Fire bans as Sweden braces for another week of tinder-dry weather
• How to stay safe during the heat in Sweden this summer

Day trips

• Discover southern Sweden: Five of the best day trips from Malmö
• Five of the best day trips to do from Stockholm
• Five great day trips to do from Gothenburg

Weak krona

• EXPLAINED: How could Sweden's latest inflation news affect your finances?

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires

• 'It's the moment to say goodbye': Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football

Multiple identities

• ARCHIVE: Why it's time to celebrate Sweden's diverse identity

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, James Savage, and Becky Waterton.

This week we discuss:

Sweden’s stalled Nato application 

• Russian ‘spy whale’ turns up in Swedish waters
• US urges Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s Nato membership
• Nato chief ‘confident’ Sweden will become full member of military alliance

National Day

• The lowdown on Sweden’s National Day
• LISTEN: Last year’s National Day/school graduation podcast

School graduation

• Why are Swedish teens in white hats singing and drinking on trucks?
• Swedish word of the day: utspring

Midwife shortage

• What’s the state of Sweden’s maternity wards this summer?

Permanent residency tests

• What do we know about Sweden’s planned tests for permanent residency?

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second part of our interview with Anna Gustafsson, healthcare reporter for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper.

Here are a few articles linked to the topics we discuss: 

• How the Swedish healthcare system works
• EXPLAINED: What to do if you face a long wait for healthcare in Sweden
• Situation in Sweden's hospitals 'terrible and completely unacceptable': watchdog 
• How much will I have to pay to go to the dentist in Sweden?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton, and we also welcome a guest, Anna Gustafsson, a journalist covering healthcare for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. 

In this week's episode we discuss: 

Swedish lifestyle trends

• Five suggestions for the next hyped Swedish lifestyle trend
• Swedish word of the day: gökotta

Swexit talk 

• INTERVIEW: How best to respond to the Sweden Democrats' Swexit gambit

Healthcare

• How the Swedish healthcare system works

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second part of our interview with Emma Leijnse, schools reporter for the Sydsvenkan newspaper and the author of several books on the Swedish school system. 

After last week’s episode, Richard had some thoughts about what international studies say about schools:

• OPINION: Why I hope the stats are right about Swedish children’s reading and maths 

Other topics we discuss in this episode include: 

School segregation 

• What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed?

PIRLS study

• Swedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools open

PISA study

• What do the Pisa rankings really tell us about Swedish schools?

Boys & girls

• Opinion: Why Sweden should care about boys falling behind in school

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton, and we also welcome a guest to the Malmö studio: Emma Leijnse is a journalist covering schools and education for the Sydsvenskan newspaper and is also the author of three books on the Swedish school system. 

In this week’s episode we discuss: 

Weekend getaway tips 

• Readers reveal: Top tips for things to do in Sweden this summer
• Six great spots in Sweden for a springtime getaway

New work permit units 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans for a new work permit system for high-skilled labour

Inflation, interest rates and food prices 

• Swedish food prices drop as inflation beats expectations
• EXPLAINED: How could Sweden’s latest inflation news affect your finances?

Sweden's school system 

• Swedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools open
• Schooling: What you need to know when moving to Sweden with children
• What schools do foreigners in Sweden send their children to and are they happy?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton.

In this week’s episode we discuss: 

Eurovision fever

• ‘Almost goddess status’: Sweden’s Loreen tipped to win Eurovision

Rail strike

• Swedish rail strike postponed but Stockholm trains still affected

Jimmie Åkesson

• Sweden’s government has its ‘here’s Jimmie!’ moment
• Sweden Democrats leader says ‘fundamentalist Muslims’ cannot be Swedes

Scandinavian languages

• Why don’t Scandinavians try harder to understand each other?
• How to turn the one Scandinavian language you are learning into three

Democracy

• Is this government really a threat to democracy?

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for Part 2 of our interview with Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.

Topics covered include:

Fast-track phase-out

• Swedish Migration Agency to propose new system for skilled migrants 

Study or work?

• Swedish government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abuses

Permanent residency?

• Boss of Sweden’s Migration Agency: ‘I’d be worried if I had permanent residency’
• ‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration Minister

2015 crisis

• How Sweden handled the refugee crisis: report

Refugees from Ukraine

• EXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.

This is part one of a two-part interview. Some of the topics we cover include:

• What’s the current status of Sweden’s planned migration laws? 

Salary threshold latest

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans to double the salary threshold for work permits

Moving migration reception centres outside the EU

• Swedish PM Kristersson positive on Danish offshore asylum plan

Waiting times

• Swedish Migration Agency rebuked for ‘unacceptable’ processing times
• Eight ways Sweden’s Migration Agency could cut the wait for work permits

Brexit

• IN FIGURES: How many Brits in Sweden have had their post-Brexit residence status rejected?

Exit visas for applicants awaiting extensions

• Sweden ‘will consider’ travel visas for work permit holders: migration minister interview
• ‘Sweden is like a big prison’: The tech workers trapped by work permit delays

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Tune in for the second part of our interview with Lola Akinmade Åkerström where she talks more about how Sweden can get better at dealing with racism, how frequently she’s confronted with micro-aggressions, the ideas of integration versus assimilation, a tendency in Europe to fetishize and limit black women, what happens when the Swedish concept of lagom is applied collectively, the prospect of her novel In Every Mirror She’s Black making it to the screen, and what’s next for her characters in the upcoming sequel.  

Don't miss:

• SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity'
• 'Stop! This is what lagom truly means'
• Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing
• CNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?
• New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for Sweden

Previous episodes:

• LISTEN: Racism in Sweden, and how welcome do foreigners feel after the election?
• LISTEN: Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it?

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, author and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström.

This week's topics:

Culture shock

• These are the worst culture shocks for foreigners coming to Sweden

Valborg & May 1st

• What exactly is Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?
• Why is May 1st a public holiday in Sweden?

Sweden Democrats and the EU migration pact 

• Sweden Democrats threaten to topple government

Asylum seeker child raises millions for charity

• 'Like winning the lottery'

Racism in Sweden

Finally, Lola Akinmade Åkerström tells us about In Every Mirror She's Black, her novel that tackles racism in Sweden and which Swedish publishers have rejected despite its success overseas. 

• SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity'
• 'Stop! This is what lagom truly means'
• Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing
• CNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?
• New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for Sweden

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For our second bonus episode this week’s we’re going to listen to the familiar voice of our Nordic editor Richard Orange and his recent interview with Henry Catalini Smith, chairman of the Unionen trade union club at Spotify. The interview was recorded on the 14th of April, a couple of days after Unionen submitted its request to start negotiations with Spotify over the introduction of a collective bargaining agreement. 

We’ll hear why Henry Catalini Smith wanted to start a union club, how he tailored the message for Spotify’s many immigrant workers, how layoff announcements have affected the company, how management reacted to his union efforts, and much more. 

Last week, after this interview was recorded, Spotify pushed back against the drive to unionize by distributing leaflets to employees arguing against the need for a collective bargaining agreement. Read more about Spotify’s counter-arguments and other perspectives on the unionization process via the links below.

• Would foreign tech workers in Sweden gain or lose from a union deal?
• Swedish word of the day: Kollektivavtal
• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify need to realise they’re a bigger player and should act like one’

And don’t miss our two-part interview with Sen Kanner, union club chairperson at Klarna, which you can find in the two previous episodes.

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony and panelists Richard Orange and James Savage are joined by Sen Kanner, union club chairperson at Swedish financial services company Klarna.

Tune in as she tells us more about the process of unionizing a workplace in Sweden, how long it can be expected to take, how the tech sector differs from other industries, how much it matters that many tech workers are foreign, and what advice she would give others considering the same course of action.

You can listen to part 1 of the interview in the previous episode.

Related articles: 

• Swedish word of the day: Kollektivavtal
• INTERVIEW: 'Spotify is going to find that a union deal is a competitive advantage'
• INTERVIEW: 'Spotify need to realise they're a bigger player and should act like one'

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage and Richard Orange, as well as our guest this week, Sen Kanner, chairperson of the union club at Klarna. 

This week Richard tells us about a new TV investigation into alleged large-scale Russian spy activity in the Baltic Sea. 

• Are Russian spy ships planning sabotage of energy infrastructure?

We take a look at the spring budget presented this week by finance minster Elisabeth Svantesson and the political implications for the main parties. 

• How Sweden’s new spring budget will affect your finances

We’ve all tittered at some point at a Swedish word that sounds similar to a word with a different meaning in our own languages. This week we’re especially focused on words that people with native languages other than English have been sharing with us.

• More Swedish words that just sound wrong in other languages

Staying with language, we chat about some alternatives to Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes. 

• What are the alternatives to the free Swedish for Immigrants course?

Two of Sweden’s biggest tech companies, Spotify and Klarna, are in the news right now over attempts by workers to convince management to sign on to collective bargaining agreements. In both cases the people behind the unionization drive are immigrants to Sweden. This week our guest, Sen Kanner, tells us all about the process at Klarna. 

Don’t miss:

• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify is going to find that a union deal is a competitive advantage’
• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify need to realise they’re a bigger player and should act like one’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Johan Wicklén, a reporter with public broadcaster SVT and the author of a book on Sweden's war on drugs. 

Tune in for the second part of a wide-ranging conversation on everything from the history of Sweden’s zero tolerance drug policy to whether our guest thinks Sweden will eventually move towards liberalization like many other countries have done in recent years. 

You can listen to the first part of the interview in last week's episode. 

• ARCHIVE - Is Sweden's zero-tolerance approach to drugs a failing model?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

This week we take a closer look at what makes a Swedish Easter. 

• Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden
• PODCAST: 65,000 bomb shelters, a Swedish teacher's tips, and Easter insults
• 'Ash fart', 'fat pig' and 'long lazy': a guide to Sweden's Easter insults

We discuss a new court ruling allowing demonstrators to burn the Quran, as well as terrorism arrests connected to the right-wing extremist Rasmus Paludan’s Quran-burning demo outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. 

• Sweden arrests five over suspected terror plot linked to Quran burning
• Swedish court: Police wrong to refuse permission for Quran burning
• PODCAST: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades
• ‘Police should have stopped Koran-burning demos after the first day’

We examine a new survey that shows a majority of Swedes prioritize security over democracy. 

• ARCHIVE - OPINION: To protect Sweden’s democracy, trust is not enough

Finally, and with the help of journalist and author Johan Wicklén, we delve into Swedish attitudes to drugs and how likely the country is to liberalize its policies. 

• ARCHIVE - Is Sweden's zero-tolerance approach to drugs a failing model?
• How to argue without losing your Swedish friends

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

This week we kick off with a few current talking points in Sweden: the weather's still bitterly cold but at least the Easter break is coming up; why a post-match football interview sparked a racism row; and should Sweden follow Denmark's lead on Brexit Brits?

• What changes in Sweden in April 2023?

As food prices hit record highs we look at why a price war has finally broken out in Sweden's supermarkets. 

• Swedish grocery giants to cut prices on hundreds of items

We discuss why Hungary is still keeping Sweden waiting on Nato as Finland forges ahead.

• Hungary calls on Sweden to address ‘grievances’ to end Nato spat

We talk about how comfortable Sweden is with nudity and whether attitudes have changed over time.

• How to get naked in Sweden without embarrassing yourself

And finally we dig into a report this week from Sweden's climate watchdog predicting that government policies will cause emissions to increase for the first time in two decades.

• Swedish government’s new climate policies ‘will lead to rising emissions’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

This week we’re talking about why the Swedish state may soon find itself in court over its alleged climate inaction. 

• Swedish court to hear young people’s climate lawsuit against the state

After our chat with crime reporter Diamant Salihu a few weeks ago we go deeper on Swedish gangster rap and look at how close some of its most successful practitioners are to the gang violence they depict. 

• ‘Supply and demand, motherfxxker!’: The real violence behind Sweden’s gangster rap
• INTERVIEW: ‘Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets’

We’ll give you some background on Chris O’Neill, the British-American husband of Princess Madeleine as the couple prepare to move back to Sweden. 

• The difficulties of moving to Sweden as a non-EU spouse… even if you marry a Swedish princess
• ARCHIVE: A look at Swedish royal fiancé Chris O’Neill

We have an interview with the United States’ ambassador to Sweden, Erik Ramanathan, about his impressions of Sweden and the strength of the countries’ bilateral relationship. 

And, finally, we’ll see what the forecast is like for the Swedish property market, and why foreigners are busy snapping up summer homes. 

• ‘New era’: Swedish bank warns interest rate could hit five percent
• Foreign buyers snap up cheaper Swedish holiday homes
• Seven gorgeous Swedish holiday homes for less than a million kronor
• How to get the best rate on your mortgage in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

In this week’s episode we discuss how the fallout from the recent banking sector turmoil might affect savers in Sweden. 

• How safe is your money in a Swedish bank account?

What’s going on with Nato? Are Hungary and Turkey are going to let Finland and Sweden in?

• ‘Increased chance that Finland joins NATO before Sweden’: PM

Is it time to dispense with ‘de’ and ‘dem’ in written Swedish and instead embrace ‘dom’? 

• DE/DEM: Is Sweden about to carry out its biggest language reform in 50 years?

In a week when the Christian Democrats’ party secretary was fired after another senior figure in the party filed a police report against him, we look at how the scandal has played out so far and how the party has handled it. 

• Swedish MEP comes forward as accuser in Christian Democrat ‘me-too’ case
• LIST: Sweden’s biggest seven ‘me-too’ cases

In the latest instalment of our ambassador series, we have an interview with Canada’s ambassador to Sweden, Jason LaTorre.

We also look at who’s who in the the Skarsgård acting dynasty before rounding off with tips for some of our own favourite Swedish films. 

• SKARS-GUIDE: Who’s who in Sweden’s Skarsgård acting dynasty?

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In this special bonus episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from our guest Jonathan Leman, a researcher with the Expo Foundation, which monitors and exposes far-right extremism in Sweden. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.

In this episode we continue our chat about the far-right Sweden Democrats' interactions with the more extreme fringe of the nationalist movement. 

We discuss the Sweden Democrats' increasing climate scepticism and their intervention to block LGBTQ cultural events. We also talk about the party's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and whether their renewed ties to the far-right alternative media ecosystem represents a security threat. 

• EXPLAINED: Why the Sweden Democrats are still a far-right party
• ‘It’s incredible: We have effectively got through the Sweden Democrat migration policy’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by guest Jonathan Leman from the Expo Foundation, as well as panelists Becky Waterton, Emma Löfgren and James Savage. 

In this week’s episode we discuss why two lay judges (nämndemän) resigned after a highly controversial court ruling that hinged on an interpretation of the word snippa.

• How Sweden's lay judge system works

With tax declaration season soon upon us we’ll provide some handy tips to get you through it.

• KEY DATES: The deadlines you need to know for Swedish tax season
• Nine key things you need to know about your Swedish tax return
• Your Swedish tax return: 11 ways to get money back

We’ll also talk about how food prices in Sweden just keep on rising to new record levels and how you can save money.

• ‘They’re making us so poor’: Swedish food prices hit record high
• Seven ways to save money on food and drink in Sweden

In the latest instalment of our ambassador series, we have an interview with Taiwan’s representative to Sweden, Klement Gu.

Finally, for our main topic today we chat to Jonathan Leman about how and why the far-right Sweden Democrats have become more radical since being welcomed in from the cold by the parties now in government. 

• What a new report tells us about far-right extremism in Sweden
• ‘The Sweden Democrats no longer need to worry about how they appear’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, Emma Löfgren and James Savage. 

This week we have a brief chat about the Northern Lights, which were visible all over Sweden last weekend.

• SWEDEN IN PICTURES: Your best Northern Lights snaps

We then talk about Turkey resuming Nato talks with Sweden and whether Hungary might put a spanner in the works.

• Finland to join Nato without Sweden if Turkey gives go ahead
• Hungary’s president Orbán says MPs ‘unenthusiastic’ about Sweden Nato bid

We discuss the fallout from the tragic story of the Stockholm chief of police, who was found dead in his home last week.

• Police chief Mats Löfving found dead

We look into why Sweden is still importing gas from Russia more than a year after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

In the latest of our series of interviews with ambassadors, we get the lowdown on Australian-Swedish relations from Australia’s Ambassador Bernard Philip. 

Etiquette expert Sofia Larsson explains how she answers readers who complain that there’s too much English spoken in Sweden, and our panelists discuss how important they think it is to learn Swedish. 

• Sweden in Focus episode (April 9th 2022) featuring a Swedish teacher’s tips

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In the second part of the interview, host Paul O’Mahony asks Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Andrii Plakhotniuk, about how the war has changed the focus of his job as ambassador, what Sweden is doing to facilitate Ukraine’s EU accession talks, how the invasion has affected Ukraine’s Swedish-speaking village Gammalsvenskby, and how Swedish humanitarian aid can help rebuild Ukraine.

 DON'T MISS:

• The Ambassadors: Swedish-Ukrainian relations 'getting stronger every day'
• How has war changed life for Ukraine’s Swedish-speaking village?
• EXPLAINED: These are the weapons Sweden is sending to Ukraine

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton and Loukas Christodoulou. 

This week we talk about why children get a week off school at this time of the year.

• Swedish word of the day: sportlov

We look at why Turkey has softened its stance on Sweden’s Nato application.

• ‘A welcome message’: Turkey open for new Nato talks with Sweden

After a government press conference last week, we examine what progress Sweden is making on work permit reform.

• NEW: Sweden to hike work permit salary threshold in two stages
• EXPLAINED: How has Sweden adjusted its plans for work permit reform?
• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s planned changes to residence permit applications

With defence high on the national agenda we’ll ask Loukas to tell us about the volunteers who bolster Sweden’s armed forces.

• EXPLAINED: What is Sweden’s Home Guard and who can join?

Finally, to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have an interview with the Ukrainian ambassador about how the past twelve months have reshaped Swedish-Ukrainian relations. 

• EXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden?
• Could Sweden’s ‘unique’ Gripen fighters help Ukraine?

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In this special bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from our guest Peter Gerlach, an economist with the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, LO. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.

In this episode we continue our chat about the state of Sweden's economy after an EU Commission reporter put the country at the bottom of the class. 

We discuss Sweden's upcoming round of wage negotiations, predictions that Sweden is facing a mild recession and what that will entail, how to tackle high energy prices and rising interest rates, Sweden’s low taxes on capital, whether the government should pause the mortgage payment requirement, what the government can do to stimulate the economy, and how international workers fit into the Swedish model.

DON'T MISS:

• 'Sweden's economy can't take much more'
• ANALYSIS: For good or ill, Sweden’s Riksbank seems set on beating inflation
• ‘I’m holding out for some relief’: High interest rates hit foreigners in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Our guest this week is Peter Gerlach, an economist with the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).

We kick off with a chat about the Migration Agency and why the government has decided it wants to replace Mikael Ribbenvik, who has headed the agency for the last seven years. 

• Head of Sweden's criticised Migration Agency forced out after seven years

Then we delve into a story that has had observers scratching their heads for the past couple of weeks. What exactly is going on in Botkyrka? Emma wrote a bit about it in her latest Politics in Sweden column. 

• Brexit deportations, gloomy economy, and what's going on in Botkyrka?

We also look closer at a couple of stories that seem frivolous at first glance but in fact deal with serious societal problems.

• Swedish city launches 'love week' to battle plummeting birth rate
• Dildos and penis pumps: Swedish home helps elderly spice up their sex lives

In the latest in our series of interviews with ambassadors, we chat to Germany's Joachim Bertele about the deep historical ties that underpin Sweden's strong relationship with the largest economy in Europe.

Finally we get analysis from Peter Gerlach on the state of the Swedish economy following an EU forecast that puts Sweden at the bottom of the class. 

• Swedish economy to see worst downturn in EU: 2023 forecast
• 'I'm holding out for some relief': High interest rates hit foreigners in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. The episode also features interviews with Britain's ambassador to Sweden Judith Gough and Becky Waterton meets Sweden's migration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

First, we talk about why Sweden is warning of an increased terror threat. 

• Three things we know about the terror threat in Sweden

Then we look at a great Swedish word that describes life in Sweden at this time of the year.

• Swedish word of the day: oxveckorna

We chat with the UK's ambassador to Sweden, Judith Gough, about the countries' strong ties as well as discussing statistics showing how Sweden has ordered many British people to leave Sweden post-Brexit. Make sure to check the site in the coming days for a longer writeup. 

Finally we'll listen to Becky's interview with the migration minster, Maria Malmer Stenergard, before turning to our panelists for analysis. 

• Sweden 'will consider' travel visas for work permit holders: migration minister
• What's the latest on Sweden's planned salary threshold for work permits?
• Swedish Migration Minister: Brexit deportations 'complete news to me'

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In this special bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from special guest Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for public broadcaster SVT and the author of the award-winning book Tills Alla Dör, or Until Everyone's Dead.

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton.

In this episode we continue our chat about Sweden's gang crime problem. 

We discuss the central role of social media and gangster rap, how gangs are recruiting young children, why a younger generation suddenly finds itself in charge, why there are so many drugs and guns in circulation, and if there's anything Sweden can do to get the situation under control?

• How can Sweden put a stop to fatal gang shootings? Part 1
• INTERVIEW: 'Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton, as well as special guest Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for public broadcaster SVT and the author of the award winning Tills Alla Dör, or Until Everyone's Dead.

But first we look at what's coming up in February. Visit the link below to get all the key info you need on: accessing Sweden's new energy subsidy, registering a pre-paid SIM card, the likelihood of new interest rate hikes, and dates for sportlov - the mid-term school holiday. 

• What changes in Sweden in February 2023
• How to register for Sweden's energy price subsidy
• 
  

Next, we chat to Eurovision expert Ben Robertson about what makes Melodifestivalen so compelling and who's likely to win this year's national song contest.

• How do you watch the Swedish extravaganza that is Melodifestivalen?

This week Annie Lööf formally handed over the reins of the Centre Party to Muharrem Demirok. What does he need to do to attract voters to the only centre-right party that refused to collaborate with the far-right Sweden Democrats? 

• Who is the new leader of Sweden's Centre Party and why is it important?

We also chat about why the prime minster's closest aide resigned over an eel-fishing scandal. 

• Swedish PM's top aide resigns over illegal eel fishing

In the latest of our interviews with ambassadors, we catch up with Mehdi Hasan, Bangladesh's ambassador to Sweden, to find out about relations between the countries, how many Bangladeshis there are in Sweden, and his personal reflections on his time in Sweden. We'll have an article featuring more from the interview in the coming days. 

Finally, we ask Diamant Salihu to explain the roots of Sweden's deadly gang conflicts and why they have spread around the country. We had a really good chat with Diamant and will release a bonus episode during the week featuring more of his insights. 

• INTERVIEW: 'Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets'

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton, as well as special guest Andreas Cervenka, author of the award winning Girig-Sverige, or Greedy Sweden.

We discuss how rising interest rates are putting pressure on homeowners, how billionaires are profiting from Sweden’s most disadvantaged areas, how an ex-politician became a billionaire from buying up local council properties, why Andreas believes the Swedish central bank’s monetary policy has been one of the main drivers of inequality, and we ask just how prepared Sweden is for the prospect of a major financial crisis. 

And if you'd like to read more you can check out these articles. 

• Ten terrifying stats about Sweden from the hit book Girig-Sverige
• INTERVIEW: 'It's like before the Swedish financial crisis only the numbers are bigger'

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton, as well as special guest Andreas Cervenka, author of the award winning Girig-Sverige, or Greedy Sweden.

On this week's episode we dissect Sweden's stalled Nato application and who's behind the Koran-burning stunt that prompted Turkey to postpone the ratification process indefinitely. 

• How did a far-right extremist derail Sweden's Nato application?
• Previous podcast: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades

We discuss the Swedish housing market in a Scandinavian perspective and how it has led to the emergence of a property-related A Team and B Team in Sweden. 

• IN CHARTS: How bad is the situation in Scandinavian housing markets?

We talk about this week's layoffs at Spotify and what you can do if you lose your job in Sweden.

• Spotify cuts 6 percent of workforce
• Everything you need to know if you lose your job in Sweden
• What happens to your Swedish work permit if you lose your job?

In the latest of our interviews with ambassadors, we get insights from New Zealand's Andrew Jenks on everything from the internationalization of Sweden to its position as a 'moral superpower'.

Finally we enlist the help of our guest Andreas Cervenka to find out how Sweden became a billionaires' paradise over the course of just a couple of decades.

• Ten terrifying stats about Sweden from the hit book Girig-Sverige

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In the latest episode, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and James Savage.

On this week's episode we explore a game-changing rare earth metal find in northern Sweden. 

We discuss Sweden's priorities for the EU presidency with Louise Bengtsson, senior researcher at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies.

• INTERVIEW: What's on the agenda for Sweden's EU presidency?

As rail operator SJ prepares to launch a sleeper train from Stockholm to Berlin, we talk about the costs and benefits. 

• Richard's route: On-board Sweden's new sleeper service from Hamburg to Malmö

In the latest in our series of interviews with ambassadors, we interview Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, who leaves Sweden this week after serving for four years as Malaysia's top diplomat in Stockholm.

We also discuss how an activist group's hanging of an effigy of Turkey’s President Erdogan has further complicated Turkish-Swedish relations. Also:

• Sweden's new Centre Party leader to renounce Turkish citizenship
• OPINION: Sweden's emerging debate on dual citizenship is terrifying

And we chat about a prime ministerial aide who has received a heft fine for illegally fishing endangered eels. 

Also, we briefly discuss two stories that broke right as we were recording: 

• EXPLAINED: These are the weapons that Sweden is sending to Ukraine
• Spy scandal: Two brothers jailed for passing secrets to Russia

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton, Emma Löfgren and James Savage.

On this week's episode we examine the King’s 43-year grudge against a law change on the line of succession.

• Swedish King still annoyed over 'unfair' succession law

We discuss why this is a good year for public holidays in Sweden.

• How to make the most of Sweden's public holidays in 2023

With a report suggesting the Swedish economy is facing its biggest shock since the 1990s, we’ll give you some tips for how to save money.

• Sweden's economy facing 'most severe shock since early 1990s'
• Five ways to save money in Sweden

We’ll listen to an interview with Tanmaya Lal, the Indian ambassador to Sweden. 

We have a roundup of what migration law changes are in the offing. 

• What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?

We chat about why Sweden is responsible for half of all the expulsion orders served to UK citizens in the EU post-Brexit.

• More than 1,000 Brits ordered to leave Sweden since Brexit

And we round things off with a short quiz about Gothenburg.

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In the final episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast for 2022, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.

What does 2023 hold in store for Sweden? We chat about some of the stories expected to dominate the news agenda next year. Check out our preview article to find out more: 

• Everything that changes in Sweden in 2023 

A special thank you to The Local's members! Your support is what makes the podcast possible. 

Happy New Year to all our listeners! 

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Here are some of the stories we discuss in this week's episode:

• John Oliver discover's Malmö's sexy bins

• Sweden blocks extradition of Turkish journalist

• Government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abuses

• Crown Princess’s favourite chimp dies after zoo escape

• Jan: storms
• Feb: Bishop defrocked
• March: Melodifestivalen
• April: Nyamko Sabuni resigns
• May: Boris Johnson to Harpsund
• June: Riksbank hikes rates
• July: Pole vault world record
• Aug: Right-wing extremist candidates
• Sep: Swedish election
• Oct: Nobel prizes
• Nov: Spontaneous dance ban
• Dec: Hottest gifts

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Jonas Engman, ethnologist and curator at Nordiska Museet and an expert on Swedish traditions.

This week our columnist David Crouch wrote an excellent article about Sweden's property market slump. We discuss how property woes and rising prices are presenting problems for Sweden's inhabitants this winter.

• Hold on tight: Sweden's housing bubble has burst
• Sweden had its highest inflation in over 30 years in November
• Seven ways to save money on food and drink in Sweden

We also talk about a new report from Sweden's parliamentary ombudsman criticising long waiting times at the migration agency. But will it make any difference?

• Swedish Migration Agency rebuked for ‘unacceptable’ processing times
• REVEALED: The truth about waiting times at Sweden’s Migration Agency

Twice the Sweden Democrats were in the news this week over moves to block cultural events: a reading event for children hosted by two drag queens, and a traditional Lucia procession fronted by a person who identifies as non-binary. Why are the Sweden Democrats preoccupied with issues surrounding gender identity, and should we be worried when they intervene like this?

• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?

We have an interview with Étienne de Gonneville, France's ambassador to Sweden, about the makeup of the French community in Sweden, how a bilateral agreement is strengthening ties between the two countries, and his own reflections on life in Sweden.  

For our main topic this week we enlist the help of Jonas Engman to answer questions on everything from why Swedes watch Donald Duck every Christmas to the story behind the ubiquitous straw goats. Don't miss it: his answers are truly fascinating.

• All our latest articles on Christmas in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Anna Troberg, chairman of the DIK union for culture sector workers and an opponent of the government's plans for a cultural canon. We also have an interview with Pakistan's ambassador to Sweden, Zahoor Ahmed, to find out about the Pakistani community in Sweden and some cultural differences between the countries.  

For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's plans to introduce a state-mandated cultural canon and what it will mean for foreigners. Here are a couple of recent articles on the canon plan if you'd like to learn more. 

• KEY POINTS: What do we know about the plans for a future Swedish cultural canon?
• What books and art can we expect to be in Sweden’s future cultural canon?

We also chat about the Nobel banquet and the upcoming St. Lucia celebrations.

• The dinner that proves Sweden is anything but lagom
• Parenting in Sweden: How to prepare for your child’s Lucia celebration
• 
  

And we round up some of the week's main news stories: 

• ‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration Minister
• Swedish terror attacker sentenced to psychiatric care
• Turkey calls Sweden’s extradition of PKK militant ‘a start’

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