Special offer for members Get 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: Syria Sweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on hold Where did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024? Literature Ten Swedish books to read this year EXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF) Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podc...
Dec 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 194
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 members Get 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: Lucia What you need to know about celebrating Lucia in Sweden Royal IN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken el...
Dec 07, 2024•24 min•Ep. 192
In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz. Special offer for members Get 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: Politics Former parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl dies Advent Swedish word of the day: advent Why do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent? Mi...
Nov 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 190
Special offer for members of The Local Get 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: Immigration Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting no...
Nov 23, 2024•21 min•Ep. 188
Special offer for members Get 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: Culture Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation? ...
Nov 16, 2024•19 min•Ep. 186
Special offer for members Get Membership+ free for two months __ 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 Election Americans in Sw...
Nov 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 184
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 Ministers Nordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migra...
Nov 02, 2024•20 min•Ep. 182
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 traditions Halloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in Sweden The best places to celebrate Halloween in Sweden this year Work permits Swedish Migration Agency: ...
Oct 26, 2024•21 min•Ep. 180
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 traditions Tell us you live in Sweden without telling us you live in Swede...
Oct 19, 2024•15 min•Ep. 178
In this week's episode: Rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, journalists slammed for prostitution tips, and how damaging are the Sweden Democrats' biker gang links? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage , as well as guest Jonathan Leman from anti-racism foundation Expo . Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Discrimination New report reveals sharp rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes in Sweden Politics Why was there a gang lead...
Oct 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 176
In this week's episode: Stockholm governor fired over recruitment nepotism, how cinnamon became Swedes' spice of choice, and why a begging ban feels like a throwback. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. The episode also features an interview with food historian Daniel Serra . Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Anna Kinberg Batra How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices Food When did Swede...
Oct 05, 2024•32 min•Ep. 174
In this week's episode: how Northvolt's crisis is hitting foreign workers and how recruiters can get better at gauging Swedish language skills. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Helene Robson from Engineers of Sweden and Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Northvolt Northvolt to slash almost a quarter of its workforce OPIN...
Sep 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 172
In this week's episode: how the new budget affects foreigners, favourite Swedish expressions, and a Social Democrat lottery scandal. 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: Money How will Sweden's new budget affect foreign residents? Language Seven Swedish expressions which will make you sound like a local Swedish word of the day: tjafs Politics Why a lottery scandal could change the f...
Sep 21, 2024•24 min•Ep. 170
In this week's episode: Nordic cross-border lingo, who's who in Sweden's cabinet reshuffle, drone alerts at Arlanda Airport, what next for Northvolt after cuts? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Language OPINION: Swedes, it's time to embrace language barriers, not avoid them Politics Swedish PM announces new foreign, migration and EU ministers in reshuffle Who is Johan Forssell, Sw...
Sep 14, 2024•21 min•Ep. 168
In this week's episode: foreign minister steps down, new screen use recommendations, why the government is scrapping flight tax, and Sweden's biggest ever toxic waste scandal. 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: Politics Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billström to step down and leave politics Swedish government to scrap flight tax from next summer Health 'The situation is dramatic...
Sep 07, 2024•26 min•Ep. 166
In this week's episode: Government backtracks on biofuels. How happy is the right-wing coalition at the half-way point of its tenure? Church politicians push to ban practice of fathers 'giving away the bride'. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Politics Will a U-turn on biofuels win the government back green voters? Swedish traditions Seven totally Swedish wedding traditions ARCHIVE: ...
Aug 31, 2024•23 min•Ep. 164
Interest rate cuts, why the government is pleased with its 'paradigm shift' on immigration, why gangs in Denmark are recruiting young Swedes for violent attacks. 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: Money Sweden's mortgage war heats up as banks race to cut rates Sweden's Riksbank slashes interest rate, predicts further cuts this year Immigration Politics in Sweden: Despite a bump, S...
Aug 24, 2024•19 min•Ep. 162
Sweden’s population is shrinking as emigration exceeds immigration for the first time in over 50s. Is this true and if so, should it be cause for celebration? Will higher inflation numbers affect next week's interest rate cut? Why a proposal to pay refugees to return has been summarily rejected by the government’s own inquiry. Finally, we attempt to replicate some of the strange noises Swedes use to express themselves. James Savage stands in as host this week, and is joined by The Local's Emma L...
Aug 16, 2024•27 min•Ep. 160
Stinky fish, Swedish Olympians, and why Migration Agency says 35,000 kronor is too low a salary for a CEO. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Olympics WATCH: The moment US-born Swede Armand Duplantis cemented his place in Olympic history Swedish traditions VIDEO ARCHIVE: The Local's journalists taste fermented herring for the first time (Facebook Live) Why Swedish fermented herring is...
Aug 10, 2024•18 min•Ep. 158
In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to the head of Sweden's main games industry organization about how higher salary requirements for work permit holders risk throttling growth. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by Per Strömbäck , the head of Dataspelsbranschen, or the Swedish Games, an organisation that represents companies in Sweden’s innovative and highly successful video game sector. The organisation was one of many to voice concerns last year when the government announced its plans...
Aug 03, 2024•28 min•Ep. 156
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 requirements for foreign work permit holders. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by Stina Lantz , the head of the industry association Swedish Incubators and Science Parks. She explains why her organisation has expressed concern about the impact on innovation of Sweden’s increasingly restrictive immigration policies. As head of an orga...
Jul 27, 2024•18 min•Ep. 154
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 by Lena Rekdal , founder of the immigration and relocation company Nimmersion . They discuss what immigrants find most appealing about Sweden, how companies and their international employees are reacting to Sweden’s increasingly strict immigration policies, the critical things to know when moving here, and how she would design the migration...
Jul 20, 2024•30 min•Ep. 152
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 Local's deputy editor Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Immigration Swedish government announces new plans to limit family reunification permits Property Should you buy a home in Sweden this summer? Do Swedish property market experts expect house prices to rise this summer? 'The Local set this o...
Jul 13, 2024•17 min•Ep. 150
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 in 2017 and was not part of a recent prisoner exchange that saw two Swedes return home. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week Vida Mehrannia . She talks about why the family moved to Sweden, what life was like for them here before her husband’s arrest. Also, after the release last month of two other Swedish prisoners in Iran, she tells u...
Jul 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 148
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 Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Sven-Olov Daunfeldt, whether things might get better for work permit holders any time soon. Also in this episode: Russia is waging a hybrid war against European countries including Sweden. But what does that mean, and what does a church near Västerås Airport have to do with it? James interviews expert Patrik Oksa...
Jun 29, 2024•24 min•Ep. 146
Strawberries linked to organised crime, US designates Swedish neo-Nazis as terrorists, opinion divided over prisoner swap with Iran. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Crime Illegal Swedish strawberry sales raise billions of kronor for organised crime Terrorism US designates Nordic far-right group as terrorists Sweden and Iran Swedish EU diplomat freed from Iran says he's 'in se...
Jun 20, 2024•19 min•Ep. 144
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 and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Midsummer The Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve 2024 European Elections Who are the winners and losers of Sweden's EU election? Five things we learned from Sweden's surprising EU election results Sweden Democrat MP steps down over racist chant OPINI...
Jun 15, 2024•26 min•Ep. 142
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 regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Healthcare strike Nurses in Sweden launch first strike in 16 years European elections Six ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscape Discrimination Tell us: What can Sweden do to make the country more inclusi...
Jun 08, 2024•14 min•Ep. 140
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 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: Iran Swedish security chiefs: Iran recruits gangs to hit Israeli targets in Sweden Sweden calls Iranian diplomat to meeting over gang crime allegations European elections Who are Sweden's top c...
Jun 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 138
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 joined by The Local Sweden's editor Emma Löfgren and our Nordic correspondent Richard Orange. The episode also features interviews with Greg Fernando , the founder of New to Sweden, an organisation promoting greater workplace diversity, and Paulina Brandberg , Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life. Here are links to some of the top...
May 25, 2024•24 min•Ep. 136
