Sweden in Focus

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.  He...

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: I...

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we look back at the Swedish year in news.  As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the stories that shaped Sweden over the past year. Join us for an end-of-year quiz where we dive into the headlines and events that shaped the news agenda.  What do you remember about the ex...

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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: Christmas FACT CHEC...

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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: Syria Sweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on hold Where did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024? Literature Ten Swedish books to read this year EXTERNAL LINK: Ne...

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. Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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: Lucia What you need to kno...

In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz.  Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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: Politics Former parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl di...

Special offer for members of The Local Get free 2-month upgrade to Membership+ __ 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 ar...

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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 discus...

Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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 Jame...

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 dis...

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: Swedish traditions Halloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in...

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 di...

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: Discriminat...

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 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...

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: Money How will Sweden's new budget affect foreign residents? Language Seven Swedish expressions which w...

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: Language OPINION: Swedes, it's time to embrace language barriers, not avoid t...

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: Politics Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billström to step d...

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: Politics Will a U-turn on biofuels w...

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: Money Sweden's mortgage war heats up as banks race to cut rates Sweden's R...

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...

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: Olympics WATCH: The moment US-born Swede Armand Duplantis cemented his place in Olympic history Swedish traditions  VIDEO ARCHIVE: The...

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 se...

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 ab...