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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

24:06

How is Sweden reacting to Trump's seismic shift on...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/02/22

In this week's episode we talk about how Sweden is reacting to the United States’ dramatic foreign policy pivot on Europe. What are Swedish politicians saying after US Vice President JD Vance kickstarted a week of new lows in US-Europe relations?We also look at the planned closure of an international upper-level high school in Stockholm and speak to Abdirahim Mohammed, the student who launched a petition calling for action to save the school.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the

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28:20

Why post-Örebro gun control split the Sweden Democrats

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/02/15

In this week's episode: Reader reactions to Örebro mass murder, and why a gun law debate sparked fury among Sweden Democrats. For Membership+ subscribers: What would make the government rethink a plan to apply citizenship law changes retroactively to current applicants? And why the King revealed the wrong name for a new Swedish princess.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgrenand James Savage.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeOPINION:

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25:08

What we know about Sweden's worst ever mass shooting

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/02/06

We're releasing the podcast earlier than usual this week to bring you up to date information on this week's horrific shooting in Örebro that left eleven people dead.We also look at why Sweden’s government wants to make the new citizenship rules retroactive and how applicants are reacting.In the longer version for Membership+ subscribers we give you the lowdown on sportlov, the annual Swedish school break that sees families leave the cities en masse for the northern slopes and, finally, we dig into

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21:30

How to speak Scanian like a southern Swede

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/02/01

We start this week with news that broke just before we started recording the episode. The victims of two separate murders in the greater Stockholm region on Wednesday were revealed to be, in the first killing in Husby, an uncle of organised crime chief Rawa Majid and, in Södertälje, Salwan Momika, who was behind a quran-burning spree in 2023. Coming at the end of a record month for explosive attacks, how serious is the current crime wave and what's being done to stop it?We also look at why Sweden’s

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18:18

Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 1

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/01/28

This week we’re going to test our panelists’ Swedish language knowledge by throwing a few questions at them from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test that students can take as an entrance exam for Swedish universities.The questions in this episode are taken from a test that university applicants took in autumn 2015.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by Becky Waterton and James Savage.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version

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30:05

What makes Sweden one of the world's most innovative...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/01/25

This week we talk about Donald Trump's return to the White House and how it’s going to impact Sweden, especially in the areas of trade and security. And could the Tesla strike become a flashpoint with Elon Musk now a part of the US administration?One Swede who was in the United States recently is the deputy prime minster Ebba Busch. We discuss her recent visit to Las Vegas where she gave a rousing speech about Swedish innovation that sparked animated debate back home.We’ll also examine why the Prime

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35:26

Will Sweden's new citizenship rules put foreign...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/01/18

Sweden's government promised a paradigm shift on immigration and this was a week in which they moved ahead with some cornerstone policies.As we spoke about in last week's podcast, enhanced security checks are expected to slow down decisions on citizenship by a migration authority already struggling to manage a backlog of more that 80,000 applications.The head of a government inquiry this week recommended a grace period for existing applicants as Sweden moves to extend residency requirements from

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14:55

Buckle up for more Swedish immigration curbs in 2025

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/01/11

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 Watertonand Emma Löfgren.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenshipLabour migrants 'should not be worried at all'

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21:41

Sweden in 2025: From reader predictions to new...

Sweden in Focus ·

2025/01/04

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 Orangeand James Savage.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025PoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs

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18:00

Sweden in Focus end of year quiz 2024

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/12/28

Special offer for membersGet 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 extreme weather events that kickstarted 2024? Do you recall who won Olympic gold medals for Sweden? And can you believe

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29:11

'It's not Christmas in Sweden without a culture war'

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/12/21

Special offer for membersGet 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:ChristmasFACT CHECK: Did a Swedish company really tell staff not to say Merry Christmas?What you need to know about travelling in Sweden for

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23:05

What do Syrians in Sweden think of calls for them to...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/12/14

Special offer for membersGet 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:SyriaSweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on holdWhere did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024?LiteratureTen Swedish books to read this yearEXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF)Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now

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23:30

What we know so far about Sweden’s plan for fewer new...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/12/07

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 membersGet 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:LuciaWhat you need to know about celebrating Lucia in SwedenRoyalIN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken elder

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23:15

All you need to know about Sweden's planned new...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/11/30

In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz.Special offer for membersGet 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:PoliticsFormer parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl diesAdventSwedish word of the day: adventWhy do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent?MigrationSweden's

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20:30

Curb your immigration: Swedish politicians ramp up...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/11/23

Special offer for members of The LocalGet 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 are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationSweden's deputy PM proposes cutting

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18:31

Why Tesla and striking Swedish unions are still...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/11/16

Special offer for membersGet 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 discussed in the episode:CultureIs the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?LISTEN:

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22:56

What does a Trump victory mean for Americans in...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/11/09

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:US ElectionAmericans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils'I miss being with other

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19:34

Could backing Israel seriously become a condition for...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/11/02

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 Council of MinistersNordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and

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20:43

Why Sweden's tax-and-spend makeover has split the...

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/10/26

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 traditionsHalloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in SwedenThe best places to celebrate Halloween in Sweden this yearWork permitsSwedish Migration Agency: We

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15:25

What are the sure signs you definitely live in Sweden?

Sweden in Focus ·

2024/10/19

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:Swedish traditionsTell us you live in Sweden without telling us you live in

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