Why is Sweden the worst-performing economy in the EU?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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