Sweden in Focus

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 Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Sweden Explained'Sweden has changed fundamentally but the level of trust is the same'Which companies do Swedes trust the most?PoliticsSwedish Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok to step downCould a new Centre Party leader determine Sweden's next PM?Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. 

In this week's episode we look at what makes Sweden such a trusting society (and why Swedes love the tax agency and Systembolaget so much).  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?For Membership+ subscribers we dig into new stats that show the government was premature in claiming last year that Sweden had negative net migration. And finally, what's Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson doing teaming up with British Hollywood actor Hugh Grant? Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Sweden Explained'Sweden has changed fundamentally but the level of trust is the same'Which companies do Swedes trust the most?PoliticsSwedish Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok to step downCould a new Centre Party leader determine Sweden's next PM?Immigration Full-year figures reveal Sweden had positive net migration in 2024

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 James Savage and Becky Waterton.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 Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through 

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 episode:Politics'Ice in the stomach': Swedish politicians react to Trump's new world orderWill Europe match words with actions after being sidelined by Trump?Swedish word of the day: is i magenSchoolsIES to close Stockholm flagship school leaving 159 students strandedWhat's it like to work as a foreign teacher at Swedish free school chain IES?Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription.   

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.For Membership+ subscribers we have the latest on plans to introduce citizenship tests, and finally we examine why a government minister is making headlines for his parental leave and why some mothers in Sweden are being compared to sausages.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'Ice in the stomach': Swedish politicians react to Trump's new world orderWill Europe match words with actions after being sidelined by Trump?Swedish word of the day: is i magenSchoolsIES to close Stockholm flagship school leaving 159 students strandedWhat's it like to work as a foreign teacher at Swedish free school chain IES?Swedish citizenshipSwedish government sets deadline for introduction of citizenship testWhy Carl XVI Gustaf isn't actually Sweden's 16th King CarlFamilyChristian Democrat becomes Sweden's first cabinet minister to take paternity leaveSwedish word of the day: mammakorv

Patrick Gallen last week launched a petition urging Sweden’s migration minister to follow the recommendations of a public inquiry and implement transition rules for Swedish citizenship applicants.Many of The Local’s readers have reacted angrily to Migration Minister Johan Forssell’s comments indicating that he instead wants plans for tougher new citizenship rules to be applied retroactively to people who are currently awaiting decisions on their citizenship applications. The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange spoke to Patrick Gallen to find out more about why he launched the petition and what he hopes to achieve. READ ALSO:This petition wants your help to stop new Swedish citizenship rules applying retroactively Swedish government to make new citizenship rules retroactive KEY POINTS: Sweden's plans for tougher citizenship rules 

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 Löfgren and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeOPINION: It's down to Sweden's lawmakers to help immigrants feel less vulnerableFULL LIST: What we know of the ten victims of the Örebro campus attackDid the prime minister find his inner statesman?Sweden to allow schoolbag searches after mass shootingPoliticsTop Sweden Democrat steps down after party pushes ahead with AR-15 banSweden to limit access to semi-automatic weapons after mass shootingGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+  

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.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeOPINION: It's down to Sweden's lawmakers to help immigrants feel less vulnerableFULL LIST: What we know of the ten victims of the Örebro campus attackDid the prime minister find his inner statesman?Sweden to allow schoolbag searches after mass shootingPoliticsTop Sweden Democrat steps down after party pushes ahead with AR-15 banSweden to limit access to semi-automatic weapons after mass shootingSwedish citizenshipThis petition wants your help to stop new Swedish citizenship rules applying retroactivelyWhen will Sweden's new stricter citizenship rules affect applications?RoyalKing apologises after announcing wrong name for granddaughter 

Just over a year ago Spotify was one of a string of major tech companies to announce that it was laying off staff, with the Swedish music streaming giant announcing that it was to cut 17% of its workforce. Sophia Omarji, a user researcher from the UK, was among those to lose their job.In this week’s episode The Local's Becky Waterton speaks to Sophia Omarji about how getting laid off turned her life in Sweden upside down and what it’s been like trying to find a new job at a time of high unemployment and tougher rules on immigration.READ ALSO:All the articles in the My Swedish Career series December 2023: Spotify to cut one in six staff to survive 'dramatically slower' growth OPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workers Facing a layoff in Sweden? Here's what work permit holders need to know