Shows / Sweden in Focus
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 presenter James Savage chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Mandy Pipher. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.
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Episodes
- Sweden in Focus
How wage requirements for foreign workers are hitting Sweden's startups
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…
- Sweden in Focus
What do foreigners value most about living in Sweden?
In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to an immigration expert about the pros and cons of moving to Sweden for work. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week…
- Sweden in Focus
Family reunification to get harder in Sweden, and is now a good time to buy property?
Family reunification clampdown, Swedish town's one-krona plots go viral, and is now a good time to buy property? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The…
- Sweden in Focus
'How can Sweden leave behind a citizen who was sentenced to death?'
In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to Vida Mehrannia, the wife of the Karolinska Institute researcher Ahmedreza Djalali who was sentenced to death in Iran…
- Sweden in Focus
Almedalen special: Why does Sweden make life so hard for foreign talent?
In this special episode of Sweden in Focus James Savage travels to the Almedalen political week on Gotland, where he asks the chief economist of the…
- Sweden in Focus
Anger over prisoner swap with Iran, and how strawberries fuel Sweden's gangs
Strawberries linked to organised crime, US designates Swedish neo-Nazis as terrorists, opinion divided over prisoner swap with Iran. Host Paul O’Mahony is…
- Sweden in Focus
Sweden's most offensive words and a bad night for the far right
Celebrate Midsummer like a Swede, EU election analysis, Sweden's most offensive words. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage…
- Sweden in Focus
Three parties risk European elimination as Sweden goes to the polls
Striking nurses, European election preview, Sweden Democrats' anti-Arab trolling, how can Sweden get more inclusive? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by…
- Sweden in Focus
Is Iran using Swedish gangs in its proxy war with Israel?
Iran accused of deploying Swedish gangs, Ebba Busch sparks anger over Islam remarks, how Sweden can make immigrants feel more welcome on National Day? Host…
- Sweden in Focus
How can Sweden get more immigrants in leadership roles?
This week in Sweden in Focus: Nurses plan to strike, Sweden Democrats vow to keep on trolling, and how can Sweden combat discrimination? Host Paul O’Mahony is…
- Sweden in Focus
INTERVIEW - Sweden's labour migration clampdown will harm green transition: Green Party leader
In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra: Green Party joint leader Daniel Helldén on criticism of government climate policy, the EU elections, immigration and…
- Sweden in Focus
Sweden Democrat troll factory scandal grows and Taylor Swift hits Stockholm
This week: Fallout from Sweden Democrat troll factory scandal, how Stockholm has prepared for Taylor Swift, excerpts from interview with Green Party leader…
- Sweden in Focus
How will lower interest rates affect your life in Sweden, and how likely is a 4-day week?
In this week's episode: Security fears and parties in Malmö for Eurovision, how lower interest rates affect people in Sweden, and Sweden Democrats get caught…
- Sweden in Focus
Why do we get a day off for Ascension and who's the new joint leader of Sweden's Green Party?
In this week's episode: Ascension Day holiday, Nazis storm political meeting in Stockholm, preview of interview with gardening expert John Taylor, and who is…
- Sweden in Focus
How can Sweden attract and retain skilled foreigners?
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- Sweden in Focus
How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices
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- Sweden in Focus
50 years of Abba, children’s residence permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law
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- Sweden in Focus
Gender law splits government and will there be a Swedish pope?
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- Sweden in Focus
How happy are Swedes?
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- Sweden in Focus
Waffle Day, terror arrests, Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats in war of words
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- Sweden in Focus
New migration numbers and why a Swedish kids' magazine ignores prudish parents
This week: New migration stats and a uniquely Swedish kids' magazine. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, and we…
- Sweden in Focus
INTERVIEW: 'Lots of kids growing up in Sweden are not allowed to feel Swedish'
How does someone who grew up in a Stockholm suburb become the leader of a traditionally agrarian party? Why is the party opposed to new work permit rules? And…
- Sweden in Focus
'Better late than sorry' as Sweden joins Nato, and will Norwegians sing for Sweden?
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- Sweden in Focus
What do Swedes think of Russia and Ukraine? And bloodied 85-year-old beats ski record
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- Sweden in Focus
The dreaded orange envelope, book tips, and how will Nato membership change Sweden?
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- Sweden in Focus
What are the best tips for making friends in Sweden?
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- Sweden in Focus
Skiing tips, politics for immigrants, and plans for stiffer work permit rules
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- Sweden in Focus
What makes dating in Sweden so hard (and how to succeed)?
Why do many foreigners find dating in Sweden so tough, and what's the approach to take? Hear matchmaker Lemarc Thomas give his views on how to crack the…
- Sweden in Focus
Semla bun frenzy, anti-Semitism in Sweden, and why a Gucci cap could get you frisked
In this week's episode: semla season, better conditions for Ukrainian refugees, why Sweden is closing its NordStream blast probe, freezer malfunction spoils…
- Sweden in Focus
New work permit system, Macron's Sweden visit and who are the Sami?
In this week's episode: tougher rules for Sweden citizenship, French President Emanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden, new work permit system takes effect, and…
- Sweden in Focus
Top politician wants to ban Islamic symbols, and is Sweden prepared for cyber attacks?
In this week's episode: Ice bathing, Turkey's parliament votes on Sweden's Nato bid, top Sweden Democrat calls for ban on Islamic symbols, Sweden's complicated…
- Sweden in Focus
Centre-right collapse explained, and why do Swedes drink so much coffee?
In this week's episode: why the centre-right has hit a new low in polls, cocaine at the Riskdag, the effects of growing unemployment and falling inflation, why…
- Sweden in Focus
Why are politicians warning 'there could be war in Sweden'?
This week we discuss: the official end of Christmas, snow-fueled chaos on the E22 motorway, royal abdication speculation, and why politicians and military…
- Sweden in Focus
What's coming up in Sweden in 2024?
This week we take a look at the stories likely to shape Sweden in 2024, from politics and Nato to minority rights, Eurovision, and the economy. Host Paul…
- Sweden in Focus
What were the stories that defined Sweden in 2023?
This week we look back at the biggest news stories in Sweden in 2023, from quran burnings and a heightened terror threat to Nato wrangling, the King's jubilee…
- Sweden in Focus
Christmas travel, new political party rumours, and how can immigrants get jobs in Sweden?
In this week's episode: Christmas travel, birds attack giant straw goat, White Christmas dreams, rumours of a new political party, and what can immigrants do…
- Sweden in Focus
Cheaper home loans, immigration costs, and plans for a compulsory 'Sweden course'
This week: banks cut rates, the state of Sweden’s democracy, new Pisa rankings, how child refugees have integrated, the ex-Syrian banker behind a successful…
- Sweden in Focus
How a call to demolish mosques sent shock waves through Swedish politics
This week: Jimmie Åkesson talks about demolishing mosques, the latest on the Tesla strike, Sweden’s Advent celebrations, solutions journalism, and why some…
- Sweden in Focus
Permanent residency under review and will cost of living in Sweden soon drop?
Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, and we also have an interview with Northern Lights tour operator Chad…
- Sweden in Focus
How is Sweden reacting to the Israel-Hamas war?
In this week's episode: practical Swedes, saying hej to strangers, dithering Liberals, Sweden awaits central bank decision, climate movement split over Greta…
- Sweden in Focus
Who were Sweden's first inhabitants and why do more people want guns?
This week on Sweden in Focus: TV history show provokes debate, far-right leader gives speech in Arabic, Sweden's media subsidy system explained, surviving…
- Sweden in Focus
Swedish model under threat, and which party leaders are doomed?
In this week's Sweden in Focus we discuss: industrial action hits Tesla and Klarna, fears that new salary requirements for work permit holders will undermine…
- Sweden in Focus
Your questions answered on Sweden's new work permit rules
This week: Halloween, Nato, cable damage in the Baltic Sea, popular TV shows, and we answer readers' questions on Sweden's new salary requirement for work…
- Sweden in Focus
Why a terrorist targeted Swedes, and does the far right run Sweden now?
__ Sign up for Stockholm Explorative Talks. Presented by Stockholm Academic Forum __ In this week's episode we look at the latest Covid recommendations, how…
- Sweden in Focus
INTERVIEW: Why didn't the Social Democrats fix Sweden's school segregation problems?
In this bonus episode of Sweden in Focus, we speak to the Social Democratic former education minister Anna Ekström about Nordic 'folk high schools', budget…
- Sweden in Focus
Work permit holders appeal to Sweden to let them stay
In this week's episode: Foxtrot leader reportedly arrested in Iran, Swedish reaction to Israel-Hamsas war, and lots of reaction to Sweden's new pay threshold…
- Sweden in Focus
Immigrant fears over work permit rules and Sweden moves towards more surveillance
In this week's episode: weak krona means less Nobel prize money, Sweden’s government plans more surveillance, what the future holds for Scandinavian Airlines…
- Sweden in Focus
Shocking week of gang violence, and why northern Sweden needs foreign workers
In this week's episode: Is Sweden underfunding schools and healthcare?; motorway mudslide; Turkey gives fresh impetus to Sweden's Nato bid; why northern Sweden…
- Sweden in Focus
How will the budget affect you, and why is Sweden's gang violence escalating?
In this week's podcast we discuss: mushroom foraging tips, why Sweden's highest mountain is melting, how the new budget will affect you, and what are the…
- Sweden in Focus
King’s 50th jubilee, and must Swedish citizenship be ‘protected’?
In this week's episode: Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrates 50 years on the throne, several countries block Swedish pork after swine fever outbreak…
- Sweden in Focus
What immigrants think of Sweden's migration shift, euro debate, and stinky herring
In this week's episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast, our panelists are talking about fermented herring, the biggest trial in Swedish history, how the…
- Sweden in Focus
Why does Sweden allow Quran burnings?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage and Becky Waterton, as well as Julia Agha…
- Sweden in Focus
Will new renting rules fix Sweden's housing crisis?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren, while James Savage calls in…
- Sweden in Focus
Why Swedes take such long summer holidays (and why we all should)
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton. This week we…
- Sweden in Focus
Midsummer tips, smoke-free Sweden, and how Stockholm can learn from Malmö on gun crime
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton. This week we…
- Sweden in Focus
What makes Sweden a place worth celebrating?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, James Savage, and Becky Waterton. This week we…
- Sweden in Focus
What you need to know about Sweden’s planned permanent residency tests
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, James Savage, and Becky Waterton. This week we…
- Sweden in Focus
How the Swedish health system works (and doesn't work)
In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for the second…
- Sweden in Focus
Lifestyle trends, Swexit talk, and how good is Swedish healthcare?
In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton, and we also…