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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

40:38

Almedalen special: Swedish red tape vexes Ukrainians

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/06/28

In this special episode from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, James Savage talks to former US Ambassador Erik Ramanathan about how much the Trump presidency is really changing the relationship between Sweden and the US. He also has an interview with campaigner Khrystyna Hevchuk about the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Sweden. And Helena Renström from Skellefteå municipality talks about what Northvolt's bankruptcy means for work permit holders there. Become a member at

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14:02

Fit in or stick out? How Sweden changes you

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/06/20

In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it.We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation.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:Sweden and DenmarkWhy the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark

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18:00

Good news at last for work permit holders in Sweden

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/06/14

In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job.For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs, and why party leaders have been reprimanded after calling for a slow down in citizenship processing.Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular

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14:26

Sweden's new alcohol law: 'Freedom reform' or flop?

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/06/07

This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers.And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees.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:AlcoholWhat Sweden's new alcohol law means for buyers and producersFamilySwedish inquiry calls for official state apology to international

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18:20

Red cottage nightmares, and is Sweden’s support for...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/31

In this week's episode we ask why Swedish politicians are becoming more critical of Israel over the war in Gaza.We also discuss the government's plans to develop new kinds of pre-approved houses to make it easier for people to buy their own homes.Host Paul O'Mahonyis joined this week by regular panelists Becky Watertonand Richard Orange.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Sweden and IsraelSweden to summon Israeli ambassador to protest Israel blocking aid to GazaSweden calls

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22:12

Why Sweden is making it illegal to order OnlyFans sex

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/24

This week we have the latest on the citizenship freeze amid signs of a thaw and we ask: Why has there been so little interest in this story from the Swedish media?We also look at a hotly debated new law criminalising the purchase of sex online.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenshipSweden's Migration Agency to handle oldest citizenship cases first after criticismHow

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18:49

How Swedish immigration rules fuel 'chronic anxiety'...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/17

In this week's episode we talk about why Stockholm is at loggerheads with the US Embassy over anti-diversity demands and we examine a scathing new report on how Sweden’s immigration policies are harming foreign researchers.For Membership+ subscribers we look at the ongoing saga of Sweden’s failed attempt to appoint a national security advisor after the latest pick for the job stepped down within hours over leaked photos from the Grindr app.We also have more from last week’s interview with the

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27:29

Why Johan Forssell wants to change Sweden's 'weird'...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/10

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest for a record-breaking eighth time with KAJ's song Bara Bada Bastu.On a related note, we immerse ourselves in sauna culture and the Swedish language as it’s spoken in Finland.We discuss new comments from Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, on the three-month deadline for job seekers on work permits and how he’s taking inspiration from Finland when it comes to attracting highly skilled workers to

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32:08

'Sweden was like a paradise at first – but then...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/07

In 2013Jamil Walli, a journalist, filmmaker and painter, moved to Sweden from Damascus as an exchange student.Two years later, tens of thousands of his compatriots fled Syria to seek shelter in the country he has since come to call home.As a journalist, he documented the stories of those fleeing persecution as part of aproject for The Local where he interviewed asylum seekers in Arabic about their new lives in Sweden and how they were adapting.This makes him very well placed to talk about his

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24:53

How Sweden tightened immigration after the 2015...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/05/03

In this week’s episode we talk about the surprise resignation of the Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson.Ten years on from the arrival of record numbers of refugees we also look at how Sweden reacted to the 2015 crisis how how its approach to asylum immigration has changed since then.HostPaul O’Mahonyis joined this week by regular panelistsBecky WatertonandRichard Orange.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:PoliticsSwedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson

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17:37

Why Sweden celebrates spring with bonfires and songs

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/04/26

In this week's episode wetalk about the possibility of there being a Swedish pope and the state of Catholicism in Sweden today. We also dive into the history of Sweden’s Valborg celebrations and why bonfires will be lit across Sweden on the last day of the month.For Membership+ subscribers we jump forward a day to the first of May and what to expect on the public holiday that is Labour Day.We discuss what to make of a recent burst of activity from the Social Democrats, the party most closely

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15:31

All about Eves: Why Sweden celebrates holidays a day...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/04/18

In this week's episode we talk about why Sweden celebrates on the eve of holidays rather than the day itself, and we look at what you need to know about Sweden’s new spring budget.For Membership+ subscribers we give you background on the proposed new leader of the Centre Party and what her nomination means for Sweden’s complicated political arithmetic.And finally we’ll examine efforts underway by a couple of Swedish municipalities to attract American academics who might be eager to leave the United

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18:31

What the fika! How Swedes are reacting to sky-high...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/04/12

In this week's episode we talk about about a rush to buy coffee amid rocketing prices and we hear from an expert on Sweden's coffee culture, Henrik Scander.We also examine the political fallout after an official inquiry recommended stricter regulation of Sweden’s much-debated free schools.For Membership+ subscribers we look at efforts to stop motorists running over frogs and we discuss differences between how animal noises are described in English and Swedish.We also dig into calls by the opposition

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30:53

Will Sweden's 'poor conduct' law muzzle immigrants?

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/04/05

In this week's episode we talk about the government’s push to eject more immigrants for bad behaviour, and we have an interview with migration minister Johan Forssell on attracting and retaining highly skilled workers.We also hear from Américo Fernández, an SEB economist and personal finance expert, on how foreigners in Sweden can navigate difficult times in the Swedish economy.Host Paul O'Mahonyis joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orangeand Becky Waterton.Here are links to some of the

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30:02

Why immigrant tech workers are challenging Sweden on...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/29

In this week's episode we have an interview withan American tech worker who has launched an initiative urging the government to reconsider its plans to tighten citizenship requirements.Our panelists also discuss why Swedish politicians in Brussels have fought tooth and nail to retain the right for 15-year-old Swedes to drive extremely slowly in car-like contraptions on Swedish roads.And why are the far-right Sweden Democrats floating the idea of a future partnership with the once all-powerful Social

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29:48

Why thousands of foreign workers risk expulsion from...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/22

In this week's episode our panelists discuss two stories affecting work permit holders after parliament voted through a new law targeting former asylum seekers for expulsion from Sweden and Northvolt filed for bankruptcy.We also ask if Sweden should be doing more to involve immigrants in the construction of a cultural canon that could be used for citizenship tests.For Membership+ subscribers we find out what Americans are telling us about why they’re moving to Sweden and finally we delve into why a

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30:27

Classified documents scandal gives Sweden's prime...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/15

In this week's episode we discuss: Northvolt’s bankruptcy, the criminal investigation into Sweden’s former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm, the latest on the defence situation for Sweden in relation to Russia and the United States, and why some commentators think Sweden’s needs its own nuclear deterrent.For Membership+ subscribers we look at what readers are telling us about what it’s like becoming a Swedish citizen, and finally we shine a light on the work being carried out by a

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20:20

Why are politicians fighting over Sweden's...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/08

In this week’s episode we discuss the latest Swedish reaction to dramatic changes in the European security landscape. What does Sweden’s defence industry look like, and does the country have enough troops to send peacekeepers to Ukraine?We also have commentary from Swedish members of the European Parliament about the harsh rhetoric on immigration we’ve seen in Sweden in recent years.For Membership+ subscribers we look at proposals for a new grading system for Swedish schools to replace a method that

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25:57

Trust still high in Sweden but low score for...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/05

This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features an interview with Bo Rothstein, co-founder of the Quality of Government Institute at Gothenburg University.Now an emeritus professor at the university, Rothstein remains a leading researcher on social trust.In the interview he gives his view on why trust in government institutions – and other people – has stayed high in Sweden over the decades even as society has undergone dramatic changes.But he also cautions against

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29:57

Why is Sweden such a trusting society?

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/03/01

In this week's episode we look at what makes Sweden such a trusting society.We also discuss Muharrem Demirok's decision to step down as Centre Party leader and what it means for the future of a party that's currently siding with the left but has previously allied itself with the right.And why has a supreme court ruling on European data protection drawn howls of protest from Swedish publishers?Host Richard Orangeis joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgrenand James Savage.Sweden

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