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PODCAST

Sweden in Focus

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 presenterJames Savagechats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’sEmma Löfgren,Richard OrangeandMandy Pipher. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators. Become a member at

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All Episodes

24:16

What's in the Swedish right's radical new plan (apart...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/27

In this week's episode we talk about whether immigrants will soon have to sign a contract promising to follow Swedish norms, and what's in the Swedish right's radical new plan for the next four years if it wins the 2026 election?We also examine reactions to a bumper budget and its impact on voters.For Membership+ subscribers we have updates on the issue of the Migration Agency not accepting some passports as a valid form of ID.Finally, we look at what readers of The Local have been telling us about

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5:54

'A big impact': How important is your name when...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/24

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange chats with Moa Bursell, a sociologist from Mälardalen University who specialises in ethnic discrimination on the labour market.Richard caught up with the researcher recently for an article about why some immigrants change their names to sound more Swedish.The immigrants who make their names more Swedish by adding -ssonThey also talk about how big a role ethnicity plays in the chances of getting called for a job

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20:18

Are anti-immigrant attacks in Sweden getting the...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/20

In this week's episode we talk about anti-immigrant attacks in Stockholm and why a government minister won’t answer questions in parliament on how much he knew about his son’s involvement, until recently, with an extremist group alleged to be behind the attacks.We’ll also discuss the Swedish language and how the words we use every day gradually creep into how we speak English.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange.Here are links to some of the

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6:27

'I've never even jaywalked in Sweden'

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/17

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Richard Orange talks to Masoud Jamshidian, a solutions architect from Iran who is facing deportation from Sweden as a result of an insurance error made by his employer.'Like prison for stealing a bag of chips': IT architect faces deportation from SwedenDeportations of this kind are often referred to in the Swedish media as kompetensutvisningar, or talent deportations. They used to be relatively commonplace but a 2017 court case was supposed to

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14:32

What's in Sweden's 'absolutely shameless' new budget?

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/13

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s expansive new budget and how it’s likely to affect our pockets – and next year’s election.We'll also help hone your Swedish language skills as we explain the subtle but all-important differences between different words for the English ‘put’.For Membership+ subscribers we look at the fallout after Sweden’s civil defence minister was pursued in the street by angry pro-Palestinian protestors.And we examine how Sweden is planning to make it harder for the

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7:19

'We have let the Sweden Democrats become our voice on...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/10

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Richard Orange catches up with Douglas Thor, the head of the Moderate party’s youth wing, to talk about his ideas for combating teen deportations.As we’ve reported quite a bit recently, Sweden is routinely deporting the young adult children of permanent residency applicants if they can’t support themselves financially, and Douglas Thor has been vocal in his criticism of how the country is essentially forcing away families who he believes have a

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34:50

Is Sweden's new cultural canon helpful for immigrants?

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/06

In this week's episode, panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange tell us how they've recently embellished their Swedish credentials through woodland activities and crayfish parties.In news, we look at how the government is planning to combat high food prices as well as what property prices and the value of the krona are telling us about the state of Sweden’s economy.We also dive into the new Swedish cultural canon that was presented this week and we hear what people are saying about a list

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4:57

Moving to Sweden: 'The help I got from Dalarna was...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/09/03

In this clip from Sweden in Focus Extra, host Paul O'Mahony chats with Iain Forbes, a medical professional from the UK who moved to Falun shortly after the 2016 Brexit vote.In the interview Forbes speaks in glowing terms about the integration package offered to him by the Dalarna Region, which included six months of fully paid language instruction as well as assistance with relocation and housing.Get Membership+ Sign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in

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22:06

Why Swedish universities are refusing to design...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/30

In this week's episode we talk about the government’s plans for citizenship tests and why universities want nothing to do with creating them. And when does autumn start in Sweden? Have we given up on summer already?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:CitizenshipStockholm University protests Swedish citizenship test roleSummerInside Sweden: When does summer in Sweden actually end?Get

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27:05

So you moved to Sweden. Are you an immigrant, a...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/23

In this week's episode we talk about the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents.We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely?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:MushroomsHow to pick

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15:23

Cricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/20

In this week’s episode we look at the past, present and future of cricket in Sweden.With interest soaring in Sweden in recent years, The Local’sJames Savageattended an event recently introducing Swedish parliamentarians to the sport.To get a feel for the state of the game in Sweden, James spoke to the event’s organizer,Nagendra Siddoutamfrom Anchor Sports,andMattias Karlsson, a Moderate Party politician.HostPaul O’Mahonyis also joined by The Local’s Nordic editorRichard Orange, who previously wrote

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18:18

Why is Sweden deporting young adult children of...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/16

In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker.We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden.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:NorthvoltKEY POINTS: What do we know about the rescue of

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15:02

Why Sweden’s right-wing parties are bickering over...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/09

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist Richard Orange.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish traditionsEight phrases to get back in the groove like a Swede after

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33:10

Why are Sweden and Denmark going different ways on...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/08/02

In this week's episode we bring in The Local's Denmark editor, Michael Barrett, to talk about why Denmark is liberating its work permit rules at the same time as Sweden is tightening up. And we assess Sweden’s big political experiment: a centre-right government backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats. Three years on, how has it been working?Host Richard Orange is joined this week by The Local's publisher James Savage and Denmark editor Michael Barrett.Here are links to some of the topics discussed

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18:16

Work permit salary thresholds: Does exempted job list...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/30

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Hanna Geurtsen, the Migration Agency official responsible for overseeing a new list of jobs which could be exempted from a future salary threshold for work permits. She tells us how and why the list was put together, what it consists of, and what practical impact, if any, it is likely to have.Membership+ subscribers can listen to the interview in the latest episode of Sweden in Focus Extra.Read also:

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22:48

Why Swedes stay home in summer (and it's not for the...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/26

In this week's episode we talk about 'cloudburst-like rain' and what to do if your house is flooded, we talk about why Swedes tend to stay home in the summer, and we talk about what it's like to have a baby in Sweden. Floods How can you protect your Swedish home against downpours?Swedish summer 'On a sunny day, it can't be beat': The best things about spending summer in SwedenHaving babies How to use Swedish parental leave to spend four months with your baby back homeWhat you need to know about

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10:43

Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 11

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/23

It’s time again to learn some Swedish as our panelists try their hand at the tricky vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT?What you need to know about applying to university in SwedenThe seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through Become a member at

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17:15

Can Sweden's migration minister survive scandal of...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/19

In this week's episode we talk about revelations that the son of Johan Forssell, Sweden's migration minister, has been active in far-right extremist groups and how the scandal is affecting the government.We also discuss what's behind a recent spate of redundancies in Sweden's games sector, an industry that employs a disproportionately high number of foreign workers.PoliticsSwedish minister vows to stay on despite son's links to white supremacist groupsINTERVIEW: Probe into minister's relative has

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14:45

Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 10

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/12

In this week's episode we once again bring you a Swedish language quiz as The Local's journalists answer multiple choice questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT?What you need to know about applying to university in SwedenThe seven stages of learning Swedish every

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15:43

Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 9

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/07/05

In this week’s episode we bring you a language quiz in which we put The Local’s journalists through their paces with questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelistsBecky WatertonandRichard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden’s version of the SAT?What you need to know about applying to university in SwedenThe seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner

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