160 avsnitt • Längd: 30 min • Månadsvis
Sweden in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Sweden as well as explore and explain the issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.
In each episode presenter Paul O’Mahony chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.
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The podcast Sweden in Focus is created by The Local. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Migration minister on citizenship security checks, January's 'ox weeks', citizenship and immigration rule changes, Northvolt's battle for survival. For membership+ subscribers: why Sweden has a wolf hunt, and what readers say about receiving wrong information from the Migration Agency.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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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:
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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:
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In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans.
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:
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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: Sweden’s Lucia tradition, who was Princess Birgitta, what we know about the government’s plan to stall citizenship grants.
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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz.
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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
Sign 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.
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In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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Sign 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.
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In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.
Host James Savage 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:
Nordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migration
New Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demands
India's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandal
RANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025
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In this week's episode: Halloween preparations, why Sweden is seeing fewer work permit applications, how a new fiscal policy framework has divided Sweden's left-wing parties.
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:
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In this week's episode: Signs you live in Sweden, Rasmus Paludan on trial over anti-Muslim slurs, how celebrating your home culture can connect you to Sweden.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage, and we also hear from India Unlimited founder Sanjoo Malhotra about expressions of Indian culture in Sweden.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: Rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, journalists slammed for prostitution tips, and how damaging are the Sweden Democrats' biker gang links?
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage, as well as guest Jonathan Leman from anti-racism foundation Expo.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: Stockholm governor fired over recruitment nepotism, how cinnamon became Swedes' spice of choice, and why a begging ban feels like a throwback.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. The episode also features an interview with food historian Daniel Serra.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: how Northvolt's crisis is hitting foreign workers and how recruiters can get better at gauging Swedish language skills.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Helene Robson from Engineers of Sweden and Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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In this week's episode: how the new budget affects foreigners, favourite Swedish expressions, and a Social Democrat lottery scandal.
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:
Sign 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.
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In this week's episode: Nordic cross-border lingo, who's who in Sweden's cabinet reshuffle, drone alerts at Arlanda Airport, what next for Northvolt after cuts?
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:
Sign 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.
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In this week's episode: foreign minister steps down, new screen use recommendations, why the government is scrapping flight tax, and Sweden's biggest ever toxic waste scandal.
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:
Sign 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.
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In this week's episode: Government backtracks on biofuels. How happy is the right-wing coalition at the half-way point of its tenure? Church politicians push to ban practice of fathers 'giving away the bride'.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
Sign 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.
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Interest rate cuts, why the government is pleased with its 'paradigm shift' on immigration, why gangs in Denmark are recruiting young Swedes for violent attacks.
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:
Sign 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.
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Sweden’s population is shrinking as emigration exceeds immigration for the first time in over 50s. Is this true and if so, should it be cause for celebration? Will higher inflation numbers affect next week's interest rate cut? Why a proposal to pay refugees to return has been summarily rejected by the government’s own inquiry. Finally, we attempt to replicate some of the strange noises Swedes use to express themselves.
James Savage stands in as host this week, and is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
Shrinking population
For the first time in 50 years, more people are leaving Sweden than moving in
Inside Sweden: Is it really a cause for celebration that immigration is shrinking?
Inflation
Sweden's inflation rises faster than expected
Emigration grants
Risky and best avoided’: Swedish inquiry rejects idea of paying migrants to return
Strange noises Swedes make
Twelve strange noises you can make in Swedish to sound like a local
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Stinky fish, Swedish Olympians, and why Migration Agency says 35,000 kronor is too low a salary for a CEO.
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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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:
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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.
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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.
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Family reunification clampdown, Swedish town's one-krona plots go viral, and is now a good time to buy property?
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's deputy editor Becky Waterton.
Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:
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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:
LISTEN:
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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:
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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:
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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:
Sign 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.
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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
Terror plot
Politics
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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:
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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:
Sadly, this news came through the day after we recorded the podcast:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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.
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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
Saying hi
Politics
Greta Thunberg
Israel-Hamas war
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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
Sweden Democrat speech
Swedish media subsidies
Mentioned at the end of this article:
Swedish November survival
Gangs
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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
Work permits
Baltic Sea
Politics
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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
All Saints
Nato & Baltic security
Swedish TV series
Work permits
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
Immigration
Foreigners take the initiative
Brussels terror attack
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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:
Budget cuts to folkbildning
School segregation
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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
Israel-Hamas war
Work permits
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
Nobel prize week
Plans for new police powers
Scandinavian Airlines
Work permits
Gang funding
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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
Landslide
Nato latest
Jobs in northern Sweden
Gang violence
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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
Kebnekaise
Budget
Gang wars
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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
Swine fever
Unemployment
Citizenship
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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
Lundin Oil
Sweden’s migration shift
Euro debate
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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
Easter riots
Social climate for Muslims in Sweden
What does the law say?
Danish ban
Julia's previous appearance on the podcast
Terror threat
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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
Sex workers told to pay tax
Rental reform
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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
Lack of diversity in business
Economy latest
Summer holidays
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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
Midsummer
Smoke-free Sweden
Nato latest
Gang crime
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
Drought fears
Day trips
Weak krona
Subscribe to The Local
Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires
Multiple identities
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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
National Day
School graduation
Midwife shortage
Permanent residency tests
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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:
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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
Swexit talk
Healthcare
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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:
Other topics we discuss in this episode include:
School segregation
PIRLS study
PISA study
Boys & girls
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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
New work permit units
Inflation, interest rates and food prices
Sweden's school system
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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
Rail strike
Jimmie Åkesson
Scandinavian languages
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
Study or work?
Permanent residency?
2015 crisis
Refugees from Ukraine
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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:
Salary threshold latest
Moving migration reception centres outside the EU
Waiting times
Brexit
Exit visas for applicants awaiting extensions
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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:
Previous episodes:
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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
Valborg & May 1st
Sweden Democrats and the EU migration pact
Asylum seeker child raises millions for charity
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.
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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.
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:
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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.
We take a look at the spring budget presented this week by finance minster Elisabeth Svantesson and the political implications for the main parties.
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.
Staying with language, we chat about some alternatives to Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes.
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:
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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.
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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.
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.
We examine a new survey that shows a majority of Swedes prioritize security over democracy.
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.
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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?
As food prices hit record highs we look at why a price war has finally broken out in Sweden's supermarkets.
We discuss why Hungary is still keeping Sweden waiting on Nato as Finland forges ahead.
We talk about how comfortable Sweden is with nudity and whether attitudes have changed over time.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
What’s going on with Nato? Are Hungary and Turkey are going to let Finland and Sweden in?
Is it time to dispense with ‘de’ and ‘dem’ in written Swedish and instead embrace ‘dom’?
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
With tax declaration season soon upon us we’ll provide some handy tips to get you through it.
We’ll also talk about how food prices in Sweden just keep on rising to new record levels and how you can save money.
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.
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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.
We then talk about Turkey resuming Nato talks with Sweden and whether Hungary might put a spanner in the works.
We discuss the fallout from the tragic story of the Stockholm chief of police, who was found dead in his home last week.
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.
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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.
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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.
We look at why Turkey has softened its stance on Sweden’s Nato application.
After a government press conference last week, we examine what progress Sweden is making on work permit reform.
With defence high on the national agenda we’ll ask Loukas to tell us about the volunteers who bolster Sweden’s armed forces.
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.
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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:
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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.
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.
We also look closer at a couple of stories that seem frivolous at first glance but in fact deal with serious societal problems.
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.
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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.
Then we look at a great Swedish word that describes life in Sweden at this time of the year.
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.
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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?
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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.
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.
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?
We also chat about why the prime minster's closest aide resigned over an eel-fishing scandal.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
We talk about this week's layoffs at Spotify and what you can do if you lose your job in Sweden.
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.
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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.
As rail operator SJ prepares to launch a sleeper train from Stockholm to Berlin, we talk about the costs and benefits.
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:
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:
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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.
We discuss why this is a good year for public holidays in Sweden.
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.
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.
We chat about why Sweden is responsible for half of all the expulsion orders served to UK citizens in the EU post-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:
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:
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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.
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?
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?
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.
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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.
We also chat about the Nobel banquet and the upcoming St. Lucia celebrations.
And we round up some of the week's main news stories:
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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. We also have interviews with the Irish Ambassador to Sweden, Austin Gormley, and psychologist Mona Lindqvist from the Stockholm region's Transcultural Center.
For our main topic this week we look at how Swedes and foreigners can overcome their cultural differences to make relationships work. We received some fascinating responses when we asked about this in a survey:
Other stories we talk about:
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In the latest episode of Sweden in Focus we chat about the heavy snow that has fallen this week and how Sweden has coped.
We look at how Advent is celebrated in Sweden.
We discuss the second spectacular spy story in the space of two weeks.
We talk about the resurgence of tensions between the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals.
We examine what we know about Sweden’s plans to get rid of permanent residency permits, and we hear from Ann-Cathrine Jungar, assistant professor at Södertörn University and an expert on radical right parties in the Nordics, on why the government wants to abolish them.
And finally we’ll end with a short quiz to gauge our panelists’ Swedishness this week.
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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 Sayaka Osanami Törngren, Associate Professor in International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University.
This week we start with a chat about the World Cup in Qatar which kicks off this weekend.
We discuss a major spy scandal involving two brothers.
We look at an incredibly detailed newspaper article in Svenska Dagbladet that shines a light on what was happening behind the scenes when Ulf Kristersson was trying to put together his government.
We examine why Sweden doesn’t gather data on race and ethnicity like many other countries and discuss whether it should change its approach. This is the article by David Crouch that we mention:
Finally, was last week’s quiz success a flash in the pan? We put our panelists through their paces again with three more questions about Swedish culture and society.
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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. The episode also features an interview with Paul Levin, Director of Stockholm University’s Institute for Turkish Studies.
Sweden's speech culture.
The new government’s first budget and how people in Sweden have reacted to it.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s trip to Turkey.
Gotland terror trial.
We end with a quiz to find out if our panelists have what it takes to pass a mock citizenship test. Here's a similar test we ran on the site recently.
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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. The episode also features interviews with Jörgen Hedman, an author and researcher who has written extensively about the history of a Swedish village in Ukraine, and Kimberly Nicholas, a climate scientist at Lund University.
This week's topics:
Work permits
Energy & Climate
Ukraine
Update:
All Saints Day
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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 US tech worker Kat Zhou, who found herself in the eye of a storm after posting about her experiences of racism in Sweden on Twitter. We also hear from Kash Haresamudram, a doctoral researcher in Lund who was one of more than 500 respondents to our survey on xenophobia in Sweden.
You can read more about these stories on the links below.
We also take a closer look at some of the stories making the news in Sweden this week:
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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. We also have expert commentary from labour policy expert Tove Hovemyr and human rights expert John Stauffer, legal director at Human Rights Watch.
In this week's episode we dig into the makeup of the new government which was officially unveiled on Tuesday. We discuss who the new ministers are and the main talking points in the first week of Ulf Kristersson’s reign as prime minister.
We also take a closer look at the government’s plans for work permits with the help of policy expert Tove Hovemyr.
And and we speak to human rights law expert John Stauffer to examine whether the new coalition’s contract constitutes a threat to fundamental rights.
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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.
After weeks of deliberation the Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson told the parliamentary speaker on Friday he was finally ready to form a new government. Assuming he survives a vote in the Riksdag on Monday, Kristersson is expected to become prime minster next week and will start work assembling a government. We discuss what we know so far about the make-up of the next government and how it plans to govern Sweden.
READ ALSO:
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as three people affected by the migration agency's work permit renewal delays.
Tune in for to hear all about: how you can lose your driving licence in Sweden; a worthy Swedish Nobel prizewinner; the right-wing bloc's intention to ditch plans for a high-speed rail network; a round-up of a security situation described by the foreign minister as the worst since the 1980s; and, finally, for our main topic this week we discuss a petition signed by thousands of foreigner workers hit by major migration agency delays that effectively prevent them from leaving Sweden.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Handelsbanken chief economist Johan Löf, as well as The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.
On our radar this week we have: Cinnamon Bun Day, a sweet staple of the Swedish dietary calendar; a roundup of the week's post-election wrangling; discussion of the Baltic Sea blasts that caused serious damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines running from Russia to Germany; major delays in the processing of Swedish work permits; and, finally, how to plan your finances when the krona is weak and what the cost of living crisis mean for foreigners living in Sweden.
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In this week's episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Le Monde's Scandinavia correspondent Anne-Francoise Hivert, as well as The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.
Tune in as we chat about what the rest of world makes of Sweden’s recent election result, and after weeks of non-stop election coverage we lighten the tone a bit to talk about mushroom picking. But the news never rests and we also discuss how the government talks are going (the right-wing bloc has reportedly already agreed on stricter migration policy), the impact of the Swedish central bank’s bombshell interest rate hike, and finally we’ll talk about a controversial feature of Sweden’s education system that allows schools to make a profit.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage to analyse the election result, discuss likely government constellations, and examine how the Sweden Democrats want to limit the rights of immigrants.
With so much on the agenda it's hard to narrow down a recommended reading list but our 2022 Swedish Election section will give you what you need to know.
And for our main topic, don't miss:
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In this special election episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange, and James Savage, who puts in a post-meeting late appearance.
On a day when it appears that the right bloc could be tasked with forming a government (although this is not yet certain), we look at how each of the parties has performed, how significant it is that the far-right Sweden Democrats have become bigger than the conservative Moderates, and how a Moderate-led government would rule Sweden.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as Julia Agha, the CEO of the Arabic-language Swedish news service Alkompis.
Don't miss Richard and Julia's joint article on why nobody is really to talking to immigrants in this election.
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Here are links to some of the other stories we discuss (and the previous episode mentioned in the podcast where we talk about how to make your home more energy efficient):
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are some of the issues we discuss:
We discuss also different approaches to tackling crime with Justice Minister Morgan Johansson and the head of the Helamalmö social movement Nicolas Lunabba.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Stockholm University sociologist Andrea Voyer, as well as regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have a chat with Stockholm University journalism professor Christian Christensen about the toxic nature of this year's election campaign.
Here are some of the issues we're discussing:
We also look at what's happening in the opinion polls as the election draws ever closer.
For our main topic this week we talk to Christian Christensen and our studio panelists about whether there has ever been an uglier election campaign in Sweden.
This is also a question we put to readers this week and you read can some of the responses here:
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast!
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the Sweden Democrats' leader, Jimmie Åkesson.
In this edition we discuss:
For our main topic this week we examine the Sweden Democrats' prospects in the upcoming election and hear what party leader Jimmie Åkesson has to say about work permits, ministerial posts, and how his party can exert the most influence.
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.
In this edition we discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at the election pledges that focus on foreigners, particularly in relation to work visas, residency permits and citizenship.
You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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In the first post-summer break episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as the editor of The Local Denmark, Michael Barrett.
In this week’s show we’ll take a quick look at the state of play in the opinion polls to see who is likely to form the next government with the election just over a month away.
We also chat about the historical and cultural reasons for people taking so much time off work during the summer holidays.
We talk about what we know about a contentious government proposal to introduce language tests for permanent residency.
And finally we examine a government minster’s suggestion to place a limit on how many people of non-Nordic origin are allowed to live in vulnerable areas, in a move that would mirror a controversial Danish law.
You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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In a special episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, host James Savage is joined by The Local’s Richard Orange, Patrik Kronqvist from the Expressen newspaper and Lorentz Tovatt, climate and environment spokesperson for the Green Party.
On this week's show we discuss:
You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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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, Becky Waterton and regular contributor David Crouch.
On this week's show we discuss:
You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Richard and Becky are also joined in Malmö studio by special guest Carlos Velasco, a computer programmer from Honduras who explains how Sweden's shimmering statistics tempted him to move here.
Also on this week's show:
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, Emma Löfgren and baby Amanda.
This week we turn our attention to a failed attempt by the right-wing opposition parties to oust the justice minister Morgan Johansson, the key role played in his survival as minister by the independent member of parliament Amineh Kakabaveh, and what it all means for the upcoming election.
We also examine the election prospects of the Christian Democrats whose leader Ebba Busch we interviewed this week.
And we discuss what you need to think about if you’re moving to a new address in Sweden.
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the immigration lawyer Pia Lind to discuss the positives and negatives of Sweden's new work permit law, which came into force this week.
In this edition we also discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's new work permit law and what it means for applicants. What are the most important rules to know about? Will there now be fewer talent deportations? And are there likely to be longer wait times?
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange as well as David Crouch, author of Almost Perfect and a regular contributor to The Local. We also have an interview with Pernilla Petrelius Karlberg, a lecturer at the Stockholm School of Economics, about the Swedish management style.
We also discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's flat hierarchies and collaborative management style. What is it, and does it work?
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Annika Bergman Rosamund, associate professor in political science and international relations at Lund University, about Sweden's history of neutrality.
In the week that Sweden submitted its application to Nato we also discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at how joining Nato marks the end of era for Sweden now that the country has decided to end its 200-year history of military non-alignment.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Tove Hovemyr, a public policy expert at the liberal Fores think thank, about attitudes to immigration over the past three decade and the direction Sweden is likely to take after this year's election.
In this edition we also discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at why Sweden is getting tougher on immigration. We discuss how Sweden has moved to tighten asylum immigration and is also eyeing changes to its labour migration rules that would mean fewer people can come to Sweden to work. On a brighter note, we look at how new work permit rules could spell good news for many.
We also talk about how the Centre Party's Annie Lööf is the last leader among the former centre-right coalition parties who still rejects cooperation with the Sweden Democrats and what that means for her electoral chances.
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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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, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with James Pamment from Lund University about how Sweden tackles Russian propaganda.
In this edition we also discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at what Sweden is doing to combat Russian disinformation in the wake of a poster campaign in Moscow this week that sparked strong reactions in Sweden.
We discuss how how much of a challenge it is for the media to report on influence campaigns like this without amplifying the Kremlin’s message out of proportion. We also take a closer look at two of the iconic Swedes named in the campaign, children's book author Astrid Lindgren and film director Ingmar Bergman.
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined byThe Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the Green Party co-leader Märta Stenevi.
In this edition we discuss:
For our main topic this week we look at how Sweden is affected by the ongoing global energy crisis.
We examine: what energy sources Sweden currently uses and how the mix is likely to change in the longer term; what important new technologies are in the pipeline, including major projects in northern Sweden; how reliant Sweden is on Russian oil and gas imports; and what we as consumers can do to reduce our energy bills.
You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish journalist Bilan Osman, as well as The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.
In this edition we discuss:
But our main focus this week is on the riots that took place in several Swedish cities over the Easter weekend. What caused them? Just how bad were they? Should a far-right extremist be allowed to stage Koran-burning protests? And what can be done to ensure Muslims as a group aren’t scapegoated for the actions of a small minority?
Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. Thank you!
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Gunilla Herolf, a Nato expert at the Swedish Institute of International Affair, as well as The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange.
In this edition we look at why Nyamko Sabuni quit as leader of the Liberals and how a change in leadership is likely to affect the outcome of the Swedish election this September.
With Nato membership looking increasingly likely for Sweden, we get expert analysis from Gunilla Herolf on what this will mean for a country that has long cherished its policy of military non-alignment.
Finally, we shine a light on Sweden’s healthcare guarantee and how you can ensure you get the medical help you’re entitled to.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish teacher and book publisher Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, as well as The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange.
In this edition we get to grips with why Sweden has so many bomb shelters, where you can find them, and what state they're in.
We also look at the results of our poll on how easy or hard it is to learn Swedish and we get some really excellent tips from our guest Sofi on the most important things to bear in mind if you want to master the lingo.
Last but not least, we discuss a Swedish Easter tradition so unusual that none of us had even heard of it until our intrepid reporter Becky Waterton started doing some paschal digging.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined Indian dancer and project manager Aradhana Varma and The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.
In this edition our guest Aradhana tells us about her dance group IndiskFika's television adventures as well as what it was like moving from India to Sweden and the cultural differences that took some getting used to.
We also discuss the Swedish government's decision to press ahead with plans for an iron ore mine on Sami lands in northern Sweden and the historical background that makes the move so controversial.
And we reveal the results of a poll in which we asked if listeners had experienced people finding creative ways to sidestep the queues in Sweden for services like healthcare, housing and education.
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In the latest episode of The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.
In this episode we hear from Ukrainian refugees in Malmö, check in on Sweden's Nato debate, and we examine Sweden's plans to send more weapons to help repel the Russian invasion.
We also reveal the results of a listener poll on Sweden's rising cost of living and discuss how it's affecting people and what the government is doing to dampen the impact.
And we dig into the findings of a survey suggesting that the most important issues for readers of The Local are healthcare, education, and immigration. Finally, we focus a little bit extra on the enduring problem of people being deported as a result of their employers' administrative errors.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by lecturer and author David Crouch as well as The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.
In this episode we discuss how prepared Sweden is to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
We also examine the results of our listener poll about Swedish for Immigrants classes, and we get tips on learning Swedish from our guests.
Finally, we talk to David Crouch about his article this week asking if there is such a thing as a typical Swede.
You can listen to the episode HERE. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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In the first episode of the second season of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we discuss how Sweden is adapting to a new security situation in Europe.
We reveal the results of our reader poll on whether Sweden should join Nato. And what about the EU's mutual defence clause? Is it a paper tiger or a concrete promise? And is Sweden's Cold War total defence strategy making a comeback?
We also ask Karina Shyrokykh of Nordic Ukraine Forum what people in Sweden can do to help Ukrainians.
Let us know what you think by emailing [email protected], or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards, The Local Sweden’s Editor Emma Löfgren and freelance journalist Isabella Anderson discuss Sweden’s new migration law and how it will affect residence permit-holders when it comes into force next week.
We also give listeners an update on the current coronavirus situation in Sweden, and reveal the results of our latest poll: Have The Local’s readers adopted the Swedish philosophy of four-week summer holidays, or do you prefer to save your holidays to get away in winter?
Dutch freelance journalist Anne Grietje Franssen also joins us from her home in the Gothenburg archipelago, to talk about Swedish friluftsliv and life on an island.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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In the latest episode of our podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s publisher James Savage talks about the cyberattack that knocked out hundreds of supermarkets across Sweden, and what this means for such a tech-dependent society.
Also in this week’s episode: Sweden Editor Emma Löfgren gives us an update on the government crisis and its impact on the future of Swedish politics, Europe Editor Catherine Edwards talks about the bureaucratic hurdles many foreigners in Sweden face when it comes to getting access to the Covid-19 vaccine pass, and we reveal the results of a reader poll: Is it hard to make friends with Swedes?
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
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, journalism professor and this week’s opinion columnist Christian Christensen explains why it’s a problem that international media focus so overwhelmingly on the far-right when they cover Swedish politics.
Europe Editor Catherine Edwards talks about the pros and cons of introducing language requirements for permanent residence, and journalist Richard Orange joins us from his under-construction summer cabin to talk about the process of building a house in rural Sweden.
Also in today’s episode: Journalist Isabella Andersson reveals some of the most common stereotypes about Swedes, and whether they’re correct.
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
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 our new podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage discusses the divide between the Left and Centre Party on which the current government future hinges, while Europe Editor Catherine Edwards digs into how Sweden’s rent controls work and why they sparked a political crisis.
Also in today’s episode: Journalist Richard Orange shares his own experience of Sweden’s shared parental leave and presents the results of our reader poll on the subject, and journalist Isabella Anderson enlightens us all on the history of snaps. And one member of the team gives a rendition of their favourite Swedish drinking song…
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
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 our new podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage and The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren discuss and explain the political crisis that could bring Sweden’s government down on Monday and spark a snap election.
Also in today’s episode: The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards presents the results of our reader survey on Sweden’s Covid-19 reopening plan, and we ask freelance journalist Richard Orange to defend one of the most controversial articles he’s ever written for The Local (do Swedes really eat their food cold?).
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.
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 talk about the fall of the liberal party, analyze the complicated politics of Sweden's forests, explain the current state of Covid travel restrictions, and unearth the origins of a famous football chant in Gothenburg.
Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley, and he’s joined today by The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage, The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren, our Europe Editor Catherine Edwards and journalist Chiara Milford.
The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.
Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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Welcome to Sweden in Focus. A weekly, behind-the-scenes look at the biggest news stories in Sweden with the journalists who know them best.
Every Saturday with The Local Sweden.
Launching June 12th.
Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.