In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards, The Local Sweden’s Editor Emma Löfgren and freelance journalist Isabella Anderson discuss Sweden’s new migration law and how it will affect residence permit-holders when it comes into force next week.

We also give listeners an update on the current coronavirus situation in Sweden, and reveal the results of our latest poll: Have The Local’s readers adopted the Swedish philosophy of four-week summer holidays, or do you prefer to save your holidays to get away in winter?

Dutch freelance journalist Anne Grietje Franssen also joins us from her home in the Gothenburg archipelago, to talk about Swedish friluftsliv and life on an island.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.

Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In this week’s episode of our new podcast Sweden in Focus, The Local’s CEO and publisher James Savage and The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren discuss and explain the political crisis that could bring Sweden’s government down on Monday and spark a snap election.

Also in today’s episode: The Local’s Europe Editor Catherine Edwards presents the results of our reader survey on Sweden’s Covid-19 reopening plan, and we ask freelance journalist Richard Orange to defend one of the most controversial articles he’s ever written for The Local (do Swedes really eat their food cold?).

The Local’s Sweden in Focus podcast is sponsored by Akademikernas A-kassa.

Help support independent journalism by becoming a member of The Local today. Start your membership here.

Sweden in Focus is hosted by radio journalist Tom Henley and made in collaboration with production company Banda.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

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In the first episode of the second season of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O'Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we discuss how Sweden is adapting to a new security situation in Europe. 

We reveal the results of our reader poll on whether Sweden should join Nato. And what about the EU's mutual defence clause? Is it a paper tiger or a concrete promise? And is Sweden's Cold War total defence strategy making a comeback?

We also ask Karina Shyrokykh of Nordic Ukraine Forum what people in Sweden can do to help Ukrainians.

Let us know what you think by emailing news@thelocal.se, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by lecturer and author David Crouch as well as The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

In this episode we discuss how prepared Sweden is to help people fleeing the war in Ukraine. 

We also examine the results of our listener poll about Swedish for Immigrants classes, and we get tips on learning Swedish from our guests. 

Finally, we talk to David Crouch about his article this week asking if there is such a thing as a typical Swede. 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Let us know what you think in the comments below, or tweet us using the hashtag #SwedeninFocus.

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In the latest episode of The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

In this episode we hear from Ukrainian refugees in Malmö, check in on Sweden's Nato debate, and we examine Sweden's plans to send more weapons to help repel the Russian invasion. 

We also reveal the results of a listener poll on Sweden's rising cost of living and discuss how it's affecting people and what the government is doing to dampen the impact. 

And we dig into the findings of a survey suggesting that the most important issues for readers of The Local are healthcare, education, and immigration. Finally, we focus a little bit extra on the enduring problem of people being deported as a result of their employers' administrative errors. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined Indian dancer and project manager Aradhana Varma and The Local’s Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.

In this edition our guest Aradhana tells us about her dance group IndiskFika's television adventures as well as what it was like moving from India to Sweden and the cultural differences that took some getting used to. 

We also discuss the Swedish government's decision to press ahead with plans for an iron ore mine on Sami lands in northern Sweden and the historical background that makes the move so controversial. 

And we reveal the results of a poll in which we asked if listeners had experienced people finding creative ways to sidestep the queues in Sweden for services like healthcare, housing and education. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish teacher and book publisher Sofi Tegsveden Deveaux, as well as The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. 

In this edition we get to grips with why Sweden has so many bomb shelters, where you can find them, and what state they're in.

We also look at the results of our poll on how easy or hard it is to learn Swedish and we get some really excellent tips from our guest Sofi on the most important things to bear in mind if you want to master the lingo. 

Last but not least, we discuss a Swedish Easter tradition so unusual that none of us had even heard of it until our intrepid reporter Becky Waterton started doing some paschal digging. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Gunilla Herolf, a Nato expert at the Swedish Institute of International Affair, as well as The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange. 

In this edition we look at why Nyamko Sabuni quit as leader of the Liberals and how a change in leadership is likely to affect the outcome of the Swedish election this September.

With Nato membership looking increasingly likely for Sweden, we get expert analysis from Gunilla Herolf on what this will mean for a country that has long cherished its policy of military non-alignment. 

Finally, we shine a light on Sweden’s healthcare guarantee and how you can ensure you get the medical help you’re entitled to. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Swedish journalist Bilan Osman, as well as The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

In this edition we discuss: 

• Will the government manage to pass its hotly contested spring budget?
• Sweden’s highest circulation newspaper backs Nato membership 
• Will a new work permit law prevent talent deportations?

But our main focus this week is on the riots that took place in several Swedish cities over the Easter weekend. What caused them? Just how bad were they? Should a far-right extremist be allowed to stage Koran-burning protests? And what can be done to ensure Muslims as a group aren’t scapegoated for the actions of a small minority?  

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. Thank you! 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined byThe Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the Green Party co-leader Märta Stenevi. 

In this edition we discuss: 

• Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch’s controversial comments calling for police to open fire on rioters. 
• Is a Swedish Nato application just weeks away?
• What do Swedes find annoying about their own language?

For our main topic this week we look at how Sweden is affected by the ongoing global energy crisis. 

We examine: what energy sources Sweden currently uses and how the mix is likely to change in the longer term; what important new technologies are in the pipeline, including major projects in northern Sweden; how reliant Sweden is on Russian oil and gas imports; and what we as consumers can do to reduce our energy bills. 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with James Pamment from Lund University about how Sweden tackles Russian propaganda.  

In this edition we also discuss: 

• A word of the day to welcome spring
• All the latest Nato updates
• Are housing prices in Sweden set to plummet?

For our main topic this week we look at what Sweden is doing to combat Russian disinformation in the wake of a poster campaign in Moscow this week that sparked strong reactions in Sweden. 

We discuss how how much of a challenge it is for the media to report on influence campaigns like this without amplifying the Kremlin’s message out of proportion. We also take a closer look at two of the iconic Swedes named in the campaign, children's book author Astrid Lindgren and film director Ingmar Bergman.

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

We are also asking listeners to help us improve Sweden in Focus by taking this quick survey. Please take a couple of minutes to answers the questions if you can.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Tove Hovemyr, a public policy expert at the liberal Fores think thank, about attitudes to immigration over the past three decade and the direction Sweden is likely to take after this year's election. 

In this edition we also discuss: 

• Why Boris Johnson visited Sweden and the implications of a Nato application
• How a costly mistranslation highlights failed integration
• Why is Eurovision so popular in Sweden?

For our main topic this week we look at why Sweden is getting tougher on immigration. We discuss how Sweden has moved to tighten asylum immigration and is also eyeing changes to its labour migration rules that would mean fewer people can come to Sweden to work. On a brighter note, we look at how new work permit rules could spell good news for many.

We also talk about how the Centre Party's Annie Lööf is the last leader among the former centre-right coalition parties who still rejects cooperation with the Sweden Democrats and what that means for her electoral chances. 

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with Annika Bergman Rosamund, associate professor in political science and international relations at Lund University, about Sweden's history of neutrality. 

In the week that Sweden submitted its application to Nato we also discuss: 

• Turkey says no
• Russia's reaction
• Nordic unity
• Baltic defence
• Cyberattacks
• The Swedish-Finnish relationship

For our main topic this week we look at how joining Nato marks the end of era for Sweden now that the country has decided to end its 200-year history of military non-alignment. 

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange as well as David Crouch, author of Almost Perfect and a regular contributor to The Local. We also have an interview with Pernilla Petrelius Karlberg, a lecturer at the Stockholm School of Economics, about the Swedish management style. 

We also discuss: 

• Turkey's continued resistance to Swedish Nato membership
• Swedish attitudes to alcohol
• Swedish newspapers and how they work

For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's flat hierarchies and collaborative management style. What is it, and does it work? 

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the immigration lawyer Pia Lind to discuss the positives and negatives of Sweden's new work permit law, which came into force this week.  

In this edition we also discuss: 

• What happens when a foreigner gets arrested in Sweden? 
• Do Swedes really not feed their children’s friends?
• Why are Sweden’s high school graduates taking over the streets?

For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's new work permit law and what it means for applicants. What are the most important rules to know about? Will there now be fewer talent deportations? And are there likely to be longer wait times? 

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, Emma Löfgren and baby Amanda. 

This week we turn our attention to a failed attempt by the right-wing opposition parties to oust the justice minister Morgan Johansson, the key role played in his survival as minister by the independent member of parliament Amineh Kakabaveh, and what it all means for the upcoming election.

We also examine the election prospects of the Christian Democrats whose leader Ebba Busch we interviewed this week.

And we discuss what you need to think about if you’re moving to a new address in Sweden.

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Richard and Becky are also joined in Malmö studio by special guest Carlos Velasco, a computer programmer from Honduras who explains how Sweden's shimmering statistics tempted him to move here. 

Also on this week's show:

• Nooshi Dadgostar and the Left Party's election chances
• Another fine mess: this week's Swedish budget debacle 
• Travel chaos: How hard is it to get out of Sweden this summer

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and regular contributor David Crouch. 

On this week's show we discuss: 

• Has there been any progress with Sweden's Nato application?
• Swedish traditions: Seven things that make Sweden magnificently different
• Why has the Centre Party plummeted in the polls and what can leader Annie Lööf do about it? 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In a special episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, host James Savage is joined by The Local’s Richard Orange, Patrik Kronqvist from the Expressen newspaper and Lorentz Tovatt, climate and environment spokesperson for the Green Party.

On this week's show we discuss: 

• The pocket-book election: how will voters react to being told they’re going to get poorer?
• The incredible disappearing climate election.
• And doesn’t Sweden want to attract talented foreigners?

You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the first post-summer break episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as the editor of The Local Denmark, Michael Barrett. 

In this week’s show we’ll take a quick look at the state of play in the opinion polls to see who is likely to form the next government with the election just over a month away.

We also chat about the historical and cultural reasons for people taking so much time off work during the summer holidays.

We talk about what we know about a contentious government proposal to introduce language tests for permanent residency. 

And finally we examine a government minster’s suggestion to place a limit on how many people of non-Nordic origin are allowed to live in vulnerable areas, in a move that would mirror a controversial Danish law. 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

In this edition we discuss: 

• The Sweden Democrats' 'white book' controversy
• Will the state jump in to help pay spiralling electricity bills?
• Why a government agency opposes language tests for citizenship

For our main topic this week we look at the election pledges that focus on foreigners, particularly in relation to work visas, residency permits and citizenship. 

You can listen to the episode HERE. Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have an interview with the Sweden Democrats' leader, Jimmie Åkesson.

In this edition we discuss: 

• How to survive a Swedish crayfish party
• Integration plans: sensible policies or xenophobic dog whistles?
• Which Swedish banks give mortgages to foreigners?
• How much money are Sweden's political parties spending on campaigning?

For our main topic this week we examine the Sweden Democrats' prospects in the upcoming election and hear what party leader Jimmie Åkesson has to say about work permits, ministerial posts, and how his party can exert the most influence. 

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Stockholm University sociologist Andrea Voyer, as well as regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. We also have a chat with Stockholm University journalism professor Christian Christensen about the toxic nature of this year's election campaign. 

Here are some of the issues we're discussing: 

• What TV shows give a great introduction to Swedish society?
• Five of Sweden's political parties planned to evade party financing laws
• Sweden’s PM: ‘We don’t want Chinatown, Somalitown, or Little Italy’
• Who’s telling the truth about electricity in Sweden’s election?
• Sweden’s opposition parties set out on joint bus tour of Sweden
• What are the three elections being held next month and who can vote in them?

We also look at what's happening in the opinion polls as the election draws ever closer. 

For our main topic this week we talk to Christian Christensen and our studio panelists about whether there has ever been an uglier election campaign in Sweden.

This is also a question we put to readers this week and you read can some of the responses here: 

• Readers on Sweden’s election: ‘The xenophobic rhetoric is shocking’

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast!

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are some of the issues we discuss:

• Swedish party leader Annie Lööf was target of Gotland knife attack
• What do we know about reports of troll armies and social media manipulation in the Swedish election campaign?
• What would a Sweden Democrat-backed government actually be like?
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We discuss also different approaches to tackling crime with Justice Minister Morgan Johansson and the head of the Helamalmö social movement Nicolas Lunabba. 

• Interview: Justice Minister Morgan Johansson on crime and punishment

Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as Julia Agha, the CEO of the Arabic-language Swedish news service Alkompis. 

Don't miss Richard and Julia's joint article on why nobody is really to talking to immigrants in this election.

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Here are links to some of the other stories we discuss (and the previous episode mentioned in the podcast where we talk about how to make your home more energy efficient): 

• INTERVIEW: ‘[Invandrare för svenskar is] a way to jokingly show that Sweden is very segregated’
• Latest opinion polls
• IN PICS: Why do Swedish politicians love to pose with sausages?
• Sweden to issue guarantee's worth 'billions' to energy groups
• FACT CHECK: Did Sweden's government really shut down two nuclear plants
• EXPLAINED: How to save money on your energy bill in Sweden
• How do Sweden's parties plan to deal with high energy prices?
• The ultimate guide to the 2022 Swedish election

Please leave a rating or review.

And don’t forget to subscribe if you haven't before.

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In this special election episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange, and James Savage, who puts in a post-meeting late appearance.

On a day when it appears that the right bloc could be tasked with forming a government (although this is not yet certain), we look at how each of the parties has performed, how significant it is that the far-right Sweden Democrats have become bigger than the conservative Moderates, and how a Moderate-led government would rule Sweden. 

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Please leave a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast as it helps ensure that more people discover it. 

And don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage to analyse the election result, discuss likely government constellations, and examine how the Sweden Democrats want to limit the rights of immigrants. 

With so much on the agenda it's hard to narrow down a recommended reading list but our 2022 Swedish Election section will give you what you need to know. 

And for our main topic, don't miss:

• What rights do the Sweden Democrats want to take away from foreigners?

Don’t forget to hit the follow button (or + sign) on Apple or tap the notification bell on Spotify to ensure you get a reminder whenever we publish a new episode.

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In this week's episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Le Monde's Scandinavia correspondent Anne-Francoise Hivert, as well as The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

Tune in as we chat about what the rest of world makes of Sweden’s recent election result, and after weeks of non-stop election coverage we lighten the tone a bit to talk about mushroom picking. But the news never rests and we also discuss how the government talks are going (the right-wing bloc has reportedly already agreed on stricter migration policy), the impact of the Swedish central bank’s bombshell interest rate hike, and finally we’ll talk about a controversial feature of Sweden’s education system that allows schools to make a profit.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Handelsbanken chief economist Johan Löf, as well as The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

On our radar this week we have: Cinnamon Bun Day, a sweet staple of the Swedish dietary calendar; a roundup of the week's post-election wrangling; discussion of the Baltic Sea blasts that caused serious damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines running from Russia to Germany; major delays in the processing of Swedish work permits; and, finally, how to plan your finances when the krona is weak and what the cost of living crisis mean for foreigners living in Sweden.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as three people affected by the migration agency's work permit renewal delays. 

Tune in for to hear all about: how you can lose your driving licence in Sweden; a worthy Swedish Nobel prizewinner; the right-wing bloc's intention to ditch plans for a high-speed rail network; a round-up of a security situation described by the foreign minister as the worst since the 1980s; and, finally, for our main topic this week we discuss a petition signed by thousands of foreigner workers hit by major migration agency delays that effectively prevent them from leaving Sweden.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. 

After weeks of deliberation the Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson told the parliamentary speaker on Friday he was finally ready to form a new government. Assuming he survives a vote in the Riksdag on Monday, Kristersson is expected to become prime minster next week and will start work assembling a government. We discuss what we know so far about the make-up of the next government and how it plans to govern Sweden.  

READ ALSO:

• How does Sweden's new government want to change migration policy?
• Key points - How will Sweden's new coalition deal affect foreigners?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. We also have expert commentary from labour policy expert Tove Hovemyr and human rights expert John Stauffer, legal director at Human Rights Watch. 

In this week's episode we dig into the makeup of the new government which was officially unveiled on Tuesday. We discuss who the new ministers are and the main talking points in the first week of Ulf Kristersson’s reign as prime minister.

• KEY POINTS: Everything you need to know about Sweden's new government

We also take a closer look at the government’s plans for work permits with the help of policy expert Tove Hovemyr.

• 'Sweden's new migration policy will have a huge impact on competitiveness'
• EXPLAINED: Who will be affected by Sweden's new immigration policy?
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And and we speak to human rights law expert John Stauffer to examine whether the new coalition’s contract constitutes a threat to fundamental rights.

• INTERVIEW: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals' 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as US tech worker Kat Zhou, who found herself in the eye of a storm after posting about her experiences of racism in Sweden on Twitter. We also hear from Kash Haresamudram, a doctoral researcher in Lund who was one of more than 500 respondents to our survey on xenophobia in Sweden. 

You can read more about these stories on the links below.

• SURVEY: Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity
• US tech worker's account of racist abuse in Sweden goes viral
• 'The response in Sweden is just incredibly racist and it proves my point'

We also take a closer look at some of the stories making the news in Sweden this week: 

• Deadly snake on the loose ... sort of
• Lost 17th century warship found in Sweden 
• Sweden Democrats lose power in their flagship municipality
• Jimmie Åkesson leader not invited to Nobel celebrations
• 27 seconds of spectacular silence
• Six tips for selling property in Sweden's current housing market 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Jörgen Hedman, an author and researcher who has written extensively about the history of a Swedish village in Ukraine, and Kimberly Nicholas, a climate scientist at Lund University. 

This week's topics:

• Houdini's homecoming: the snake returns

Work permits

• Swedish businesses attack plan to hike work permit threshold 

Energy & Climate

• INTERVIEW: ‘If the world follows Sweden’s new path, we’re headed for climate disaster’
• Top Moderates accuse government of 'breaking promise' on energy prices
• What do we know about Sweden's electricity price subsidy? 
• Swedish government and Sweden Democrats propose fuel tax cuts

Ukraine

• EXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden? 
• INTERVIEW: 'We know there are Russian tanks in Ukraine's Swedish village' 

Update:

• Reader question: Will an extra year's shelter change Ukrainians' rights?

All Saints Day 

• Where can I experience All Saints' Day in Sweden
• How is All Saints' Day marked in Sweden?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features an interview with Paul Levin, Director of Stockholm University’s Institute for Turkish Studies. 

Sweden's speech culture. 

• When and how should you give a speech or toast in Sweden?

The new government’s first budget and how people in Sweden have reacted to it.

• EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s 2023 budget could benefit your finances
• Sweden’s government slammed for broken pledges in ‘restrictive’ budget
• KEY POINTS: Which election promises are missing from Sweden’s budget?
• LIST: The biggest spending proposals in Sweden’s new budget
• Swedish budget document states changes mean missing EU 2030 climate goals

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s trip to Turkey.

• INTERVIEW: 'Perhaps Erdogan just wants to drag out the decision on Sweden's Nato entry'
• Swedish PM hails ‘very productive’ Nato meeting with Turkish president

Gotland terror trial.

• Knife terror attack was to ‘hit back at the Swedish people’
• Swedish terror trial: ‘I still check what people have in their hands’

We end with a quiz to find out if our panelists have what it takes to pass a mock citizenship test. Here's a similar test we ran on the site recently.

• QUIZ: Can you pass The Local’s mock-up Swedish citizenship test?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Sayaka Osanami Törngren, Associate Professor in International Migration and Ethnic Relations at Malmö University.

This week we start with a chat about the World Cup in Qatar which kicks off this weekend.

• How can I watch the 2022 World Cup on Swedish TV?

We discuss a major spy scandal involving two brothers.

• KEY POINTS: What do we know so far about Sweden’s new spy scandal?

We look at an incredibly detailed newspaper article in Svenska Dagbladet that shines a light on what was happening behind the scenes when Ulf Kristersson was trying to put together his government.

We examine why Sweden doesn’t gather data on race and ethnicity like many other countries and discuss whether it should change its approach. This is the article by David Crouch that we mention: 

• ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing

Finally, was last week’s quiz success a flash in the pan? We put our panelists through their paces again with three more questions about Swedish culture and society.

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In the latest episode of Sweden in Focus we chat about the heavy snow that has fallen this week and how Sweden has coped. 

• READER PICS: Snow turns Sweden into a winter wonderland
• Six things they don’t tell you about the snow in Sweden
• 
  

 We look at how Advent is celebrated in Sweden.

• How a German Christmas tradition became distinctively Swedish

We discuss the second spectacular spy story in the space of two weeks. 

• Russian couple arrested as spies after helicopter raid in Stockholm

We talk about the resurgence of tensions between the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals. 

We examine what we know about Sweden’s plans to get rid of permanent residency permits, and we hear from Ann-Cathrine Jungar, assistant professor at Södertörn University and an expert on radical right parties in the Nordics, on why the government wants to abolish them. 

• EXPLAINED: What do we know about Sweden’s plans to withdraw permanent residency?

And finally we’ll end with a short quiz to gauge our panelists’ Swedishness this week.

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. We also have interviews with the Irish Ambassador to Sweden, Austin Gormley, and psychologist Mona Lindqvist from the Stockholm region's Transcultural Center.  

For our main topic this week we look at how Swedes and foreigners can overcome their cultural differences to make relationships work. We received some fascinating responses when we asked about this in a survey: 

• What are the barriers to a successful relationship with a Swede?

Other stories we talk about:

• Five key julbord points: A beginner’s guide to the Swedish Christmas meal
• Sweden's best Christmas markets for 2022
• Swedish parliament votes through work permit and ID number laws
• The ultimate guide to getting a work permit in Sweden
• What is a Swedish coordination number?
• Turkey calls for 'concrete steps' before backing Sweden's Nato bid
• Who will get Sweden's electricity subsidy and when will it be paid out?
• Swedish youths launch landmark climate lawsuit against government
• Baby, it's mörv outside: Sweden's 13th month is here
• Will Gävle's Christmas goat survive this year? 
• How this Swedish-band helped me learn the language
• When do Swedes throw out their Christmas trees?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Anna Troberg, chairman of the DIK union for culture sector workers and an opponent of the government's plans for a cultural canon. We also have an interview with Pakistan's ambassador to Sweden, Zahoor Ahmed, to find out about the Pakistani community in Sweden and some cultural differences between the countries.  

For our main topic this week we look at Sweden's plans to introduce a state-mandated cultural canon and what it will mean for foreigners. Here are a couple of recent articles on the canon plan if you'd like to learn more. 

• KEY POINTS: What do we know about the plans for a future Swedish cultural canon?
• What books and art can we expect to be in Sweden’s future cultural canon?

We also chat about the Nobel banquet and the upcoming St. Lucia celebrations.

• The dinner that proves Sweden is anything but lagom
• Parenting in Sweden: How to prepare for your child’s Lucia celebration
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And we round up some of the week's main news stories: 

• ‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration Minister
• Swedish terror attacker sentenced to psychiatric care
• Turkey calls Sweden’s extradition of PKK militant ‘a start’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage, as well as guest Jonas Engman, ethnologist and curator at Nordiska Museet and an expert on Swedish traditions.

This week our columnist David Crouch wrote an excellent article about Sweden's property market slump. We discuss how property woes and rising prices are presenting problems for Sweden's inhabitants this winter.

• Hold on tight: Sweden's housing bubble has burst
• Sweden had its highest inflation in over 30 years in November
• Seven ways to save money on food and drink in Sweden

We also talk about a new report from Sweden's parliamentary ombudsman criticising long waiting times at the migration agency. But will it make any difference?

• Swedish Migration Agency rebuked for ‘unacceptable’ processing times
• REVEALED: The truth about waiting times at Sweden’s Migration Agency

Twice the Sweden Democrats were in the news this week over moves to block cultural events: a reading event for children hosted by two drag queens, and a traditional Lucia procession fronted by a person who identifies as non-binary. Why are the Sweden Democrats preoccupied with issues surrounding gender identity, and should we be worried when they intervene like this?

• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?

We have an interview with Étienne de Gonneville, France's ambassador to Sweden, about the makeup of the French community in Sweden, how a bilateral agreement is strengthening ties between the two countries, and his own reflections on life in Sweden.  

For our main topic this week we enlist the help of Jonas Engman to answer questions on everything from why Swedes watch Donald Duck every Christmas to the story behind the ubiquitous straw goats. Don't miss it: his answers are truly fascinating.

• All our latest articles on Christmas in Sweden

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Here are some of the stories we discuss in this week's episode:

• John Oliver discover's Malmö's sexy bins

• Sweden blocks extradition of Turkish journalist

• Government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abuses

• Crown Princess’s favourite chimp dies after zoo escape

• Jan: storms
• Feb: Bishop defrocked
• March: Melodifestivalen
• April: Nyamko Sabuni resigns
• May: Boris Johnson to Harpsund
• June: Riksbank hikes rates
• July: Pole vault world record
• Aug: Right-wing extremist candidates
• Sep: Swedish election
• Oct: Nobel prizes
• Nov: Spontaneous dance ban
• Dec: Hottest gifts

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In the final episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast for 2022, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage.

What does 2023 hold in store for Sweden? We chat about some of the stories expected to dominate the news agenda next year. Check out our preview article to find out more: 

• Everything that changes in Sweden in 2023 

A special thank you to The Local's members! Your support is what makes the podcast possible. 

Happy New Year to all our listeners! 

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton, Emma Löfgren and James Savage.

On this week's episode we examine the King’s 43-year grudge against a law change on the line of succession.

• Swedish King still annoyed over 'unfair' succession law

We discuss why this is a good year for public holidays in Sweden.

• How to make the most of Sweden's public holidays in 2023

With a report suggesting the Swedish economy is facing its biggest shock since the 1990s, we’ll give you some tips for how to save money.

• Sweden's economy facing 'most severe shock since early 1990s'
• Five ways to save money in Sweden

We’ll listen to an interview with Tanmaya Lal, the Indian ambassador to Sweden. 

We have a roundup of what migration law changes are in the offing. 

• What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?

We chat about why Sweden is responsible for half of all the expulsion orders served to UK citizens in the EU post-Brexit.

• More than 1,000 Brits ordered to leave Sweden since Brexit

And we round things off with a short quiz about Gothenburg.

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In the latest episode, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and James Savage.

On this week's episode we explore a game-changing rare earth metal find in northern Sweden. 

We discuss Sweden's priorities for the EU presidency with Louise Bengtsson, senior researcher at the Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies.

• INTERVIEW: What's on the agenda for Sweden's EU presidency?

As rail operator SJ prepares to launch a sleeper train from Stockholm to Berlin, we talk about the costs and benefits. 

• Richard's route: On-board Sweden's new sleeper service from Hamburg to Malmö

In the latest in our series of interviews with ambassadors, we interview Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, who leaves Sweden this week after serving for four years as Malaysia's top diplomat in Stockholm.

We also discuss how an activist group's hanging of an effigy of Turkey’s President Erdogan has further complicated Turkish-Swedish relations. Also:

• Sweden's new Centre Party leader to renounce Turkish citizenship
• OPINION: Sweden's emerging debate on dual citizenship is terrifying

And we chat about a prime ministerial aide who has received a heft fine for illegally fishing endangered eels. 

Also, we briefly discuss two stories that broke right as we were recording: 

• EXPLAINED: These are the weapons that Sweden is sending to Ukraine
• Spy scandal: Two brothers jailed for passing secrets to Russia

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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, as well as special guest Andreas Cervenka, author of the award winning Girig-Sverige, or Greedy Sweden.

On this week's episode we dissect Sweden's stalled Nato application and who's behind the Koran-burning stunt that prompted Turkey to postpone the ratification process indefinitely. 

• How did a far-right extremist derail Sweden's Nato application?
• Previous podcast: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades

We discuss the Swedish housing market in a Scandinavian perspective and how it has led to the emergence of a property-related A Team and B Team in Sweden. 

• IN CHARTS: How bad is the situation in Scandinavian housing markets?

We talk about this week's layoffs at Spotify and what you can do if you lose your job in Sweden.

• Spotify cuts 6 percent of workforce
• Everything you need to know if you lose your job in Sweden
• What happens to your Swedish work permit if you lose your job?

In the latest of our interviews with ambassadors, we get insights from New Zealand's Andrew Jenks on everything from the internationalization of Sweden to its position as a 'moral superpower'.

Finally we enlist the help of our guest Andreas Cervenka to find out how Sweden became a billionaires' paradise over the course of just a couple of decades.

• Ten terrifying stats about Sweden from the hit book Girig-Sverige

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton, as well as special guest Andreas Cervenka, author of the award winning Girig-Sverige, or Greedy Sweden.

We discuss how rising interest rates are putting pressure on homeowners, how billionaires are profiting from Sweden’s most disadvantaged areas, how an ex-politician became a billionaire from buying up local council properties, why Andreas believes the Swedish central bank’s monetary policy has been one of the main drivers of inequality, and we ask just how prepared Sweden is for the prospect of a major financial crisis. 

And if you'd like to read more you can check out these articles. 

• Ten terrifying stats about Sweden from the hit book Girig-Sverige
• INTERVIEW: 'It's like before the Swedish financial crisis only the numbers are bigger'

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton, as well as special guest Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for public broadcaster SVT and the author of the award winning Tills Alla Dör, or Until Everyone's Dead.

But first we look at what's coming up in February. Visit the link below to get all the key info you need on: accessing Sweden's new energy subsidy, registering a pre-paid SIM card, the likelihood of new interest rate hikes, and dates for sportlov - the mid-term school holiday. 

• What changes in Sweden in February 2023
• How to register for Sweden's energy price subsidy
• 
  

Next, we chat to Eurovision expert Ben Robertson about what makes Melodifestivalen so compelling and who's likely to win this year's national song contest.

• How do you watch the Swedish extravaganza that is Melodifestivalen?

This week Annie Lööf formally handed over the reins of the Centre Party to Muharrem Demirok. What does he need to do to attract voters to the only centre-right party that refused to collaborate with the far-right Sweden Democrats? 

• Who is the new leader of Sweden's Centre Party and why is it important?

We also chat about why the prime minster's closest aide resigned over an eel-fishing scandal. 

• Swedish PM's top aide resigns over illegal eel fishing

In the latest of our interviews with ambassadors, we catch up with Mehdi Hasan, Bangladesh's ambassador to Sweden, to find out about relations between the countries, how many Bangladeshis there are in Sweden, and his personal reflections on his time in Sweden. We'll have an article featuring more from the interview in the coming days. 

Finally, we ask Diamant Salihu to explain the roots of Sweden's deadly gang conflicts and why they have spread around the country. We had a really good chat with Diamant and will release a bonus episode during the week featuring more of his insights. 

• INTERVIEW: 'Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets'

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In this special bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from special guest Diamant Salihu, a crime reporter for public broadcaster SVT and the author of the award-winning book Tills Alla Dör, or Until Everyone's Dead.

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton.

In this episode we continue our chat about Sweden's gang crime problem. 

We discuss the central role of social media and gangster rap, how gangs are recruiting young children, why a younger generation suddenly finds itself in charge, why there are so many drugs and guns in circulation, and if there's anything Sweden can do to get the situation under control?

• How can Sweden put a stop to fatal gang shootings? Part 1
• INTERVIEW: 'Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. The episode also features interviews with Britain's ambassador to Sweden Judith Gough and Becky Waterton meets Sweden's migration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

First, we talk about why Sweden is warning of an increased terror threat. 

• Three things we know about the terror threat in Sweden

Then we look at a great Swedish word that describes life in Sweden at this time of the year.

• Swedish word of the day: oxveckorna

We chat with the UK's ambassador to Sweden, Judith Gough, about the countries' strong ties as well as discussing statistics showing how Sweden has ordered many British people to leave Sweden post-Brexit. Make sure to check the site in the coming days for a longer writeup. 

Finally we'll listen to Becky's interview with the migration minster, Maria Malmer Stenergard, before turning to our panelists for analysis. 

• Sweden 'will consider' travel visas for work permit holders: migration minister
• What's the latest on Sweden's planned salary threshold for work permits?
• Swedish Migration Minister: Brexit deportations 'complete news to me'

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Our guest this week is Peter Gerlach, an economist with the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO).

We kick off with a chat about the Migration Agency and why the government has decided it wants to replace Mikael Ribbenvik, who has headed the agency for the last seven years. 

• Head of Sweden's criticised Migration Agency forced out after seven years

Then we delve into a story that has had observers scratching their heads for the past couple of weeks. What exactly is going on in Botkyrka? Emma wrote a bit about it in her latest Politics in Sweden column. 

• Brexit deportations, gloomy economy, and what's going on in Botkyrka?

We also look closer at a couple of stories that seem frivolous at first glance but in fact deal with serious societal problems.

• Swedish city launches 'love week' to battle plummeting birth rate
• Dildos and penis pumps: Swedish home helps elderly spice up their sex lives

In the latest in our series of interviews with ambassadors, we chat to Germany's Joachim Bertele about the deep historical ties that underpin Sweden's strong relationship with the largest economy in Europe.

Finally we get analysis from Peter Gerlach on the state of the Swedish economy following an EU forecast that puts Sweden at the bottom of the class. 

• Swedish economy to see worst downturn in EU: 2023 forecast
• 'I'm holding out for some relief': High interest rates hit foreigners in Sweden

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In this special bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from our guest Peter Gerlach, an economist with the Swedish Trade Union Confederation, LO. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.

In this episode we continue our chat about the state of Sweden's economy after an EU Commission reporter put the country at the bottom of the class. 

We discuss Sweden's upcoming round of wage negotiations, predictions that Sweden is facing a mild recession and what that will entail, how to tackle high energy prices and rising interest rates, Sweden’s low taxes on capital, whether the government should pause the mortgage payment requirement, what the government can do to stimulate the economy, and how international workers fit into the Swedish model.

DON'T MISS:

• 'Sweden's economy can't take much more'
• ANALYSIS: For good or ill, Sweden’s Riksbank seems set on beating inflation
• ‘I’m holding out for some relief’: High interest rates hit foreigners in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton and Loukas Christodoulou. 

This week we talk about why children get a week off school at this time of the year.

• Swedish word of the day: sportlov

We look at why Turkey has softened its stance on Sweden’s Nato application.

• ‘A welcome message’: Turkey open for new Nato talks with Sweden

After a government press conference last week, we examine what progress Sweden is making on work permit reform.

• NEW: Sweden to hike work permit salary threshold in two stages
• EXPLAINED: How has Sweden adjusted its plans for work permit reform?
• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s planned changes to residence permit applications

With defence high on the national agenda we’ll ask Loukas to tell us about the volunteers who bolster Sweden’s armed forces.

• EXPLAINED: What is Sweden’s Home Guard and who can join?

Finally, to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have an interview with the Ukrainian ambassador about how the past twelve months have reshaped Swedish-Ukrainian relations. 

• EXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden?
• Could Sweden’s ‘unique’ Gripen fighters help Ukraine?

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In the second part of the interview, host Paul O’Mahony asks Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Andrii Plakhotniuk, about how the war has changed the focus of his job as ambassador, what Sweden is doing to facilitate Ukraine’s EU accession talks, how the invasion has affected Ukraine’s Swedish-speaking village Gammalsvenskby, and how Swedish humanitarian aid can help rebuild Ukraine.

 DON'T MISS:

• The Ambassadors: Swedish-Ukrainian relations 'getting stronger every day'
• How has war changed life for Ukraine’s Swedish-speaking village?
• EXPLAINED: These are the weapons Sweden is sending to Ukraine

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Richard Orange, Emma Löfgren and James Savage. 

This week we have a brief chat about the Northern Lights, which were visible all over Sweden last weekend.

• SWEDEN IN PICTURES: Your best Northern Lights snaps

We then talk about Turkey resuming Nato talks with Sweden and whether Hungary might put a spanner in the works.

• Finland to join Nato without Sweden if Turkey gives go ahead
• Hungary’s president Orbán says MPs ‘unenthusiastic’ about Sweden Nato bid

We discuss the fallout from the tragic story of the Stockholm chief of police, who was found dead in his home last week.

• Police chief Mats Löfving found dead

We look into why Sweden is still importing gas from Russia more than a year after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

In the latest of our series of interviews with ambassadors, we get the lowdown on Australian-Swedish relations from Australia’s Ambassador Bernard Philip. 

Etiquette expert Sofia Larsson explains how she answers readers who complain that there’s too much English spoken in Sweden, and our panelists discuss how important they think it is to learn Swedish. 

• Sweden in Focus episode (April 9th 2022) featuring a Swedish teacher’s tips

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by guest Jonathan Leman from the Expo Foundation, as well as panelists Becky Waterton, Emma Löfgren and James Savage. 

In this week’s episode we discuss why two lay judges (nämndemän) resigned after a highly controversial court ruling that hinged on an interpretation of the word snippa.

• How Sweden's lay judge system works

With tax declaration season soon upon us we’ll provide some handy tips to get you through it.

• KEY DATES: The deadlines you need to know for Swedish tax season
• Nine key things you need to know about your Swedish tax return
• Your Swedish tax return: 11 ways to get money back

We’ll also talk about how food prices in Sweden just keep on rising to new record levels and how you can save money.

• ‘They’re making us so poor’: Swedish food prices hit record high
• Seven ways to save money on food and drink in Sweden

In the latest instalment of our ambassador series, we have an interview with Taiwan’s representative to Sweden, Klement Gu.

Finally, for our main topic today we chat to Jonathan Leman about how and why the far-right Sweden Democrats have become more radical since being welcomed in from the cold by the parties now in government. 

• What a new report tells us about far-right extremism in Sweden
• ‘The Sweden Democrats no longer need to worry about how they appear’

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In this special bonus episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast, we hear more from our guest Jonathan Leman, a researcher with the Expo Foundation, which monitors and exposes far-right extremism in Sweden. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.

In this episode we continue our chat about the far-right Sweden Democrats' interactions with the more extreme fringe of the nationalist movement. 

We discuss the Sweden Democrats' increasing climate scepticism and their intervention to block LGBTQ cultural events. We also talk about the party's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine and whether their renewed ties to the far-right alternative media ecosystem represents a security threat. 

• EXPLAINED: Why the Sweden Democrats are still a far-right party
• ‘It’s incredible: We have effectively got through the Sweden Democrat migration policy’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

In this week’s episode we discuss how the fallout from the recent banking sector turmoil might affect savers in Sweden. 

• How safe is your money in a Swedish bank account?

What’s going on with Nato? Are Hungary and Turkey are going to let Finland and Sweden in?

• ‘Increased chance that Finland joins NATO before Sweden’: PM

Is it time to dispense with ‘de’ and ‘dem’ in written Swedish and instead embrace ‘dom’? 

• DE/DEM: Is Sweden about to carry out its biggest language reform in 50 years?

In a week when the Christian Democrats’ party secretary was fired after another senior figure in the party filed a police report against him, we look at how the scandal has played out so far and how the party has handled it. 

• Swedish MEP comes forward as accuser in Christian Democrat ‘me-too’ case
• LIST: Sweden’s biggest seven ‘me-too’ cases

In the latest instalment of our ambassador series, we have an interview with Canada’s ambassador to Sweden, Jason LaTorre.

We also look at who’s who in the the Skarsgård acting dynasty before rounding off with tips for some of our own favourite Swedish films. 

• SKARS-GUIDE: Who’s who in Sweden’s Skarsgård acting dynasty?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

This week we’re talking about why the Swedish state may soon find itself in court over its alleged climate inaction. 

• Swedish court to hear young people’s climate lawsuit against the state

After our chat with crime reporter Diamant Salihu a few weeks ago we go deeper on Swedish gangster rap and look at how close some of its most successful practitioners are to the gang violence they depict. 

• ‘Supply and demand, motherfxxker!’: The real violence behind Sweden’s gangster rap
• INTERVIEW: ‘Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets’

We’ll give you some background on Chris O’Neill, the British-American husband of Princess Madeleine as the couple prepare to move back to Sweden. 

• The difficulties of moving to Sweden as a non-EU spouse… even if you marry a Swedish princess
• ARCHIVE: A look at Swedish royal fiancé Chris O’Neill

We have an interview with the United States’ ambassador to Sweden, Erik Ramanathan, about his impressions of Sweden and the strength of the countries’ bilateral relationship. 

And, finally, we’ll see what the forecast is like for the Swedish property market, and why foreigners are busy snapping up summer homes. 

• ‘New era’: Swedish bank warns interest rate could hit five percent
• Foreign buyers snap up cheaper Swedish holiday homes
• Seven gorgeous Swedish holiday homes for less than a million kronor
• How to get the best rate on your mortgage in Sweden

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

This week we kick off with a few current talking points in Sweden: the weather's still bitterly cold but at least the Easter break is coming up; why a post-match football interview sparked a racism row; and should Sweden follow Denmark's lead on Brexit Brits?

• What changes in Sweden in April 2023?

As food prices hit record highs we look at why a price war has finally broken out in Sweden's supermarkets. 

• Swedish grocery giants to cut prices on hundreds of items

We discuss why Hungary is still keeping Sweden waiting on Nato as Finland forges ahead.

• Hungary calls on Sweden to address ‘grievances’ to end Nato spat

We talk about how comfortable Sweden is with nudity and whether attitudes have changed over time.

• How to get naked in Sweden without embarrassing yourself

And finally we dig into a report this week from Sweden's climate watchdog predicting that government policies will cause emissions to increase for the first time in two decades.

• Swedish government’s new climate policies ‘will lead to rising emissions’

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

This week we take a closer look at what makes a Swedish Easter. 

• Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden
• PODCAST: 65,000 bomb shelters, a Swedish teacher's tips, and Easter insults
• 'Ash fart', 'fat pig' and 'long lazy': a guide to Sweden's Easter insults

We discuss a new court ruling allowing demonstrators to burn the Quran, as well as terrorism arrests connected to the right-wing extremist Rasmus Paludan’s Quran-burning demo outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. 

• Sweden arrests five over suspected terror plot linked to Quran burning
• Swedish court: Police wrong to refuse permission for Quran burning
• PODCAST: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades
• ‘Police should have stopped Koran-burning demos after the first day’

We examine a new survey that shows a majority of Swedes prioritize security over democracy. 

• ARCHIVE - OPINION: To protect Sweden’s democracy, trust is not enough

Finally, and with the help of journalist and author Johan Wicklén, we delve into Swedish attitudes to drugs and how likely the country is to liberalize its policies. 

• ARCHIVE - Is Sweden's zero-tolerance approach to drugs a failing model?
• How to argue without losing your Swedish friends

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by Johan Wicklén, a reporter with public broadcaster SVT and the author of a book on Sweden's war on drugs. 

Tune in for the second part of a wide-ranging conversation on everything from the history of Sweden’s zero tolerance drug policy to whether our guest thinks Sweden will eventually move towards liberalization like many other countries have done in recent years. 

You can listen to the first part of the interview in last week's episode. 

• ARCHIVE - Is Sweden's zero-tolerance approach to drugs a failing model?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage and Richard Orange, as well as our guest this week, Sen Kanner, chairperson of the union club at Klarna. 

This week Richard tells us about a new TV investigation into alleged large-scale Russian spy activity in the Baltic Sea. 

• Are Russian spy ships planning sabotage of energy infrastructure?

We take a look at the spring budget presented this week by finance minster Elisabeth Svantesson and the political implications for the main parties. 

• How Sweden’s new spring budget will affect your finances

We’ve all tittered at some point at a Swedish word that sounds similar to a word with a different meaning in our own languages. This week we’re especially focused on words that people with native languages other than English have been sharing with us.

• More Swedish words that just sound wrong in other languages

Staying with language, we chat about some alternatives to Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) classes. 

• What are the alternatives to the free Swedish for Immigrants course?

Two of Sweden’s biggest tech companies, Spotify and Klarna, are in the news right now over attempts by workers to convince management to sign on to collective bargaining agreements. In both cases the people behind the unionization drive are immigrants to Sweden. This week our guest, Sen Kanner, tells us all about the process at Klarna. 

Don’t miss:

• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify is going to find that a union deal is a competitive advantage’
• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify need to realise they’re a bigger player and should act like one’

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony and panelists Richard Orange and James Savage are joined by Sen Kanner, union club chairperson at Swedish financial services company Klarna.

Tune in as she tells us more about the process of unionizing a workplace in Sweden, how long it can be expected to take, how the tech sector differs from other industries, how much it matters that many tech workers are foreign, and what advice she would give others considering the same course of action.

You can listen to part 1 of the interview in the previous episode.

Related articles: 

• Swedish word of the day: Kollektivavtal
• INTERVIEW: 'Spotify is going to find that a union deal is a competitive advantage'
• INTERVIEW: 'Spotify need to realise they're a bigger player and should act like one'

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For our second bonus episode this week’s we’re going to listen to the familiar voice of our Nordic editor Richard Orange and his recent interview with Henry Catalini Smith, chairman of the Unionen trade union club at Spotify. The interview was recorded on the 14th of April, a couple of days after Unionen submitted its request to start negotiations with Spotify over the introduction of a collective bargaining agreement. 

We’ll hear why Henry Catalini Smith wanted to start a union club, how he tailored the message for Spotify’s many immigrant workers, how layoff announcements have affected the company, how management reacted to his union efforts, and much more. 

Last week, after this interview was recorded, Spotify pushed back against the drive to unionize by distributing leaflets to employees arguing against the need for a collective bargaining agreement. Read more about Spotify’s counter-arguments and other perspectives on the unionization process via the links below.

• Would foreign tech workers in Sweden gain or lose from a union deal?
• Swedish word of the day: Kollektivavtal
• INTERVIEW: ‘Spotify need to realise they’re a bigger player and should act like one’

And don’t miss our two-part interview with Sen Kanner, union club chairperson at Klarna, which you can find in the two previous episodes.

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, author and photographer Lola Akinmade Åkerström.

This week's topics:

Culture shock

• These are the worst culture shocks for foreigners coming to Sweden

Valborg & May 1st

• What exactly is Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?
• Why is May 1st a public holiday in Sweden?

Sweden Democrats and the EU migration pact 

• Sweden Democrats threaten to topple government

Asylum seeker child raises millions for charity

• 'Like winning the lottery'

Racism in Sweden

Finally, Lola Akinmade Åkerström tells us about In Every Mirror She's Black, her novel that tackles racism in Sweden and which Swedish publishers have rejected despite its success overseas. 

• SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity'
• 'Stop! This is what lagom truly means'
• Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing
• CNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?
• New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for Sweden

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Tune in for the second part of our interview with Lola Akinmade Åkerström where she talks more about how Sweden can get better at dealing with racism, how frequently she’s confronted with micro-aggressions, the ideas of integration versus assimilation, a tendency in Europe to fetishize and limit black women, what happens when the Swedish concept of lagom is applied collectively, the prospect of her novel In Every Mirror She’s Black making it to the screen, and what’s next for her characters in the upcoming sequel.  

Don't miss:

• SURVEY: 'Sweden is decades behind on racism and diversity'
• 'Stop! This is what lagom truly means'
• Analysis - ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing
• CNN - Opinion: Why is Sweden afraid of publishing this book on race?
• New York Times - A Social Media Takedown Is a Blessing in Disguise for Sweden

Previous episodes:

• LISTEN: Racism in Sweden, and how welcome do foreigners feel after the election?
• LISTEN: Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton as well as our guest this week, Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.

This is part one of a two-part interview. Some of the topics we cover include:

• What’s the current status of Sweden’s planned migration laws? 

Salary threshold latest

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans to double the salary threshold for work permits

Moving migration reception centres outside the EU

• Swedish PM Kristersson positive on Danish offshore asylum plan

Waiting times

• Swedish Migration Agency rebuked for ‘unacceptable’ processing times
• Eight ways Sweden’s Migration Agency could cut the wait for work permits

Brexit

• IN FIGURES: How many Brits in Sweden have had their post-Brexit residence status rejected?

Exit visas for applicants awaiting extensions

• Sweden ‘will consider’ travel visas for work permit holders: migration minister interview
• ‘Sweden is like a big prison’: The tech workers trapped by work permit delays

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In this bonus episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton for Part 2 of our interview with Mikael Ribbenvik, the director general of the Swedish Migration Agency.

Topics covered include:

Fast-track phase-out

• Swedish Migration Agency to propose new system for skilled migrants 

Study or work?

• Swedish government orders crackdown on work and residence permit abuses

Permanent residency?

• Boss of Sweden’s Migration Agency: ‘I’d be worried if I had permanent residency’
• ‘Work permit holders will not lose permanent residency’: Swedish Migration Minister

2015 crisis

• How Sweden handled the refugee crisis: report

Refugees from Ukraine

• EXPLAINED: What problems are Ukrainian refugees facing in Sweden?

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In the latest episode of our Sweden in Focus podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined by panelists James Savage, Richard Orange, and Becky Waterton.

In this week’s episode we discuss: 

Eurovision fever

• ‘Almost goddess status’: Sweden’s Loreen tipped to win Eurovision

Rail strike

• Swedish rail strike postponed but Stockholm trains still affected

Jimmie Åkesson

• Sweden’s government has its ‘here’s Jimmie!’ moment
• Sweden Democrats leader says ‘fundamentalist Muslims’ cannot be Swedes

Scandinavian languages

• Why don’t Scandinavians try harder to understand each other?
• How to turn the one Scandinavian language you are learning into three

Democracy

• Is this government really a threat to democracy?

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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 welcome a guest to the Malmö studio: Emma Leijnse is a journalist covering schools and education for the Sydsvenskan newspaper and is also the author of three books on the Swedish school system. 

In this week’s episode we discuss: 

Weekend getaway tips 

• Readers reveal: Top tips for things to do in Sweden this summer
• Six great spots in Sweden for a springtime getaway

New work permit units 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s plans for a new work permit system for high-skilled labour

Inflation, interest rates and food prices 

• Swedish food prices drop as inflation beats expectations
• EXPLAINED: How could Sweden’s latest inflation news affect your finances?

Sweden's school system 

• Swedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools open
• Schooling: What you need to know when moving to Sweden with children
• What schools do foreigners in Sweden send their children to and are they happy?

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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 part of our interview with Emma Leijnse, schools reporter for the Sydsvenkan newspaper and the author of several books on the Swedish school system. 

After last week’s episode, Richard had some thoughts about what international studies say about schools:

• OPINION: Why I hope the stats are right about Swedish children’s reading and maths 

Other topics we discuss in this episode include: 

School segregation 

• What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed?

PIRLS study

• Swedish reading skills fell in 2021 despite decision to keep schools open

PISA study

• What do the Pisa rankings really tell us about Swedish schools?

Boys & girls

• Opinion: Why Sweden should care about boys falling behind in school

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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 welcome a guest, Anna Gustafsson, a journalist covering healthcare for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper. 

In this week's episode we discuss: 

Swedish lifestyle trends

• Five suggestions for the next hyped Swedish lifestyle trend
• Swedish word of the day: gökotta

Swexit talk 

• INTERVIEW: How best to respond to the Sweden Democrats' Swexit gambit

Healthcare

• How the Swedish healthcare system works

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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 part of our interview with Anna Gustafsson, healthcare reporter for the Dagens Nyheter newspaper.

Here are a few articles linked to the topics we discuss: 

• How the Swedish healthcare system works
• EXPLAINED: What to do if you face a long wait for healthcare in Sweden
• Situation in Sweden's hospitals 'terrible and completely unacceptable': watchdog 
• How much will I have to pay to go to the dentist in Sweden?

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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 discuss:

Sweden’s stalled Nato application 

• Russian ‘spy whale’ turns up in Swedish waters
• US urges Turkey and Hungary to ratify Sweden’s Nato membership
• Nato chief ‘confident’ Sweden will become full member of military alliance

National Day

• The lowdown on Sweden’s National Day
• LISTEN: Last year’s National Day/school graduation podcast

School graduation

• Why are Swedish teens in white hats singing and drinking on trucks?
• Swedish word of the day: utspring

Midwife shortage

• What’s the state of Sweden’s maternity wards this summer?

Permanent residency tests

• What do we know about Sweden’s planned tests for permanent residency?

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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 discuss:

Sex lies

• Fact check: Has Sweden really recognised sex as an official sport?

Drought fears

• IN MAPS: What the drought could mean for Sweden this summer
• Fire bans as Sweden braces for another week of tinder-dry weather
• How to stay safe during the heat in Sweden this summer

Day trips

• Discover southern Sweden: Five of the best day trips from Malmö
• Five of the best day trips to do from Stockholm
• Five great day trips to do from Gothenburg

Weak krona

• EXPLAINED: How could Sweden's latest inflation news affect your finances?

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires

• 'It's the moment to say goodbye': Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires from football

Multiple identities

• ARCHIVE: Why it's time to celebrate Sweden's diverse identity

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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 discuss:

Beyoncé

• Bills, bills bills: Beyoncé blamed for Sweden's inflation disappointment

Midsummer

• The Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve

Smoke-free Sweden

• How Sweden got close to stubbing out smoking for good

 Nato latest

• Turkish president dampens hopes of Sweden joining Nato in July
• Hungary set to vote on Sweden Nato bid before July summit

Gang crime

• How could Sweden put an end to its deadly wave of gang crime?
• IN STATS: How safe is Sweden in comparison to similar countries?

The interview with the crime reporter Diamant Salihu that we refer to in the episode was published in two parts on February 4th and 7th if you'd like to go back and listen. 

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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 discuss:

Russia threat

• Russia could pose threat to Sweden 'for decades'

Lack of diversity in business 

• How diverse is company leadership in Sweden?

Economy latest

• Swedish economy expected to pick up again 'late this year'

Summer holidays

• Why do the Swedes take such long summer holidays?
• How to have a cheap holiday in Sweden this summer
• Swedish word of the day: allemansrätten

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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 from Almedalen. 

This week we discuss:

Airline strike

Employers and unions have negotiated a settlement meaning the strike due to start on July 3rd has been called off. Follow the latest updates on our travel news page. 

Deadly rollercoaster accident 

• Gröna Lund: What we know about Sweden's fatal rollercoaster crash

Sex workers told to pay tax 

• 'No room for interpretation': Swedish sex workers told to pay tax

Rental reform 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden's plans to free up private rental market

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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, publisher of the Arabic-language news service Al Kompis. 

PODCAST LISTENER OFFER: Become a member of The Local

Here are some of the stories discussed:

Timeline

• IN DATES: A short history of Sweden's Quran-burning crisis
• EXPLAINED: How did a far-right extremist derail Sweden's Nato application?

Easter riots

• Riots over Quran burning test Swedish tolerance
• PODCAST: Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades

Social climate for Muslims in Sweden

• Muslims in Sweden 'particularly at risk of discrimination': report
• Opposition calls for Sweden Democrat to resign over Mohammed tweet

What does the law say?

• EXPLAINED: What could Sweden actually do to stop its Quran burnings?

Danish ban

• Denmark announces ban on Quran burnings

Julia's previous appearance on the podcast

• PODCAST: Election fever, energy prices, and why integration is a two-way street

Terror threat

• What you need to know about Sweden's terror threat
• INTERVIEW: Terror threat against Sweden is unprecedented, expert warns

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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 'paradigm shift' in migration policy is affecting foreigners, and the reawakening of a debate on joining the euro.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, and we also hear from one of Sweden’s foremost economists, Lars Calmfors.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Stinky fish

• Why Swedish fermented herring is more fun than crayfish

Lundin Oil

• Biggest trial in Swedish history gets under way: Top oil executives face court

Sweden’s migration shift

• Foreigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our lives
• Swedish work permit overhaul ready ‘by start of next year’

Euro debate

• Should Sweden abandon a weak krona for the euro?

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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, unemployment on the rise, and Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenegard on why Swedish citizenship 'must be respected and protected'.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Sweden’s migration minister, Maria Malmer Stenegard.

Please take our survey: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Quiz

• QUIZ: How much do you know about King Carl XVI Gustaf?
• How is Sweden celebrating the 50th anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf?

Swine fever

• Countries block Swedish pork over swine fever outbreak

Unemployment

• Everything you need to know if you lose your job in Sweden
• Eight predictions about the Swedish economy over the next few years

Citizenship

• What we know so far about Sweden’s new citizenship proposal
• Migration minister: ‘Swedish citizenship must be respected and protected to a greater extent’

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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 underlying factors behind a vicious new wave of violence in Sweden's ongoing gang feuds? 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, as well as the Swedish crime reporter Katrin Krantz from the Expressen newspaper.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Mushrooms

• How to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your life

Kebnekaise

• How I tamed Sweden's highest peak

Budget

• How will the 2024 budget affect foreigners in Sweden?
• How Sweden's 2024 budget could affect your finances
• Sweden's emissions to rise as budget relaxes green targets to fight inflation

Gang wars

• Timeline: Seven fatal shootings in ten days in Sweden
• Swedish police chief warns of 'unprecedented' wave of gang killings

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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 needs foreign workers, and Prime Minister wants military help to crack down on gangs.

This week host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange, and we also hear from the Skellefteå-based journalist Paul Connolly.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Politics in Sweden

• Why Sweden’s finance minister is willing to be unpopular

Landslide

• IN NUMBERS: Sweden’s lucky escape as landslide causes huge motorway sinkhole
• Swedish motorway landslide: What happens next?

Nato latest

• ‘Not urgent’ for Sweden to join Nato, says Hungary’s Viktor Orbán
• Turkey agrees to approve Sweden’s Nato application in return for fighter jets

Jobs in northern Sweden

• Meet the foreigners moving to northern Sweden to turn industry green
• Five things I love about northern Sweden

Gang violence

• Swedish prime minister seeks military help to crack down on gangs
• Who’s who in Sweden’s gang conflict?
• How could Sweden put an end to its deadly wave of gang crime?

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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, how work permit holders will be affected by a new salary threshold, how organised crime networks in Sweden are opening healthcare centres. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also hear from criminologist Manne Gerell from Malmö University.

SURVEY: Would you listen to more podcasts from The Local?

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Foreign minister’s passport

• Swedish foreign minister misses Kyiv summit after forgetting passport

Nobel prize week

• Nobel Prize winners left short-changed by weak Swedish krona
• Sweden-based scientist becomes fifth woman to win Nobel Physics Prize
• All The Local’s latest Nobel prize stories

Plans for new police powers

• Swedish government to launch ‘rapid inquiry’ into increased surveillance

Scandinavian Airlines

• Air France-KLM to buy almost one fifth of SAS

Work permits

• Sweden to roll out new work permit minimum salary next month
• How Sweden’s new work permit salary threshold will work in practice
• Tell us: How will Sweden’s new salary threshold for work permits affect you?

Gang funding

• Swedish gang criminals ‘branching out into healthcare sector’

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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 for work permits. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and this week’s guest, Sweden’s former education minister Anna Ekström, who also has a background as a labour law lawyer.  

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Gang crime

• How likely is it that Iran hands over Swedish gang leader Rawa Majid?

Israel-Hamas war

• Malmö mayor slams celebrations of attack on Israel
• Foreign ministry to evacuate Swedes from Israel and Palestine

Work permits

• ‘We’re losing the life we built in Sweden’: Work permit holders dread uncertain future
• All The Local’s latest work permit stories

Listeners in Sweden seeking support about mental health about can contact mental health awareness organization Mind or call Sweden’s national health hotline 1177 for help in English.

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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 cuts to study associations, worsening segregation in Sweden's schools, why boys are underperforming, and whether Sweden needs more external grading.

In Saturday’s episode, the former government minister talked about ‘folkbildning’ as a particularly Nordic approach to education. 

Here we continue the conversation as Anna Ekström talks about her roles within the ABF study association, the history of the wider folkbildning movement, and the challenges faced today by the Swedish education system. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton.

Here are links to some related stories, starting with Richard Orange‘s recent article on his own experience with the ABF study association:

• Why Sweden should protect its fantastic popular education organisations

Budget cuts to folkbildning

• Sweden still ‘a land of possibilities’ for foreigners says finance minister

School segregation 

• LISTEN: How can Sweden make its schools less segregated?
• ARCHIVE: What’s behind the rising inequality in Sweden’s schools, and can it be fixed?

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In this week's episode we look at the latest Covid recommendations, how the far-right Sweden Democrats are using their new-found power, why immigrants kickstart so many events in Sweden, and why a terrorist targeted and murdered two Swedish football fans in Brussels. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Covid-19

• Who should get vaccinated against Covid in Sweden and when?

Immigration 

• EXPLAINED: Sweden’s inquiry on taking asylum rules to EU minimum
• Sweden Democrats: ‘We’ve been too generous on asylum for too long’

Foreigners take the initiative 

• Why Sweden should protect its fantastic popular education organisations
• How can I watch the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Sweden?
• How the Nordics lead Europe in Indian Durga Puja celebrations

Brussels terror attack

• Why were Swedes targeted in the Brussels terror attack?
• Leading Sweden Democrat criticised for Brussels attack tweet
• Brussels gunman served prison time in Sweden

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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 permit holders. 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined from Malmö by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton.

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Here are links to stories we discuss this week:

Halloween

• Opinion: What can Sweden learn from embracing the American Halloween tradition?

All Saints

• Swedish word of the day: allhelgonadagen

Nato & Baltic security 

• Turkish president sends Sweden’s Nato application to parliament
• Swedish government: ‘External force’ damaged cable between Sweden and Estonia

Swedish TV series 

• Are Swedes funny? Explaining the many types of Swedish jokes– includes regular panelist Richard Orange‘s opinion on På spåret.
• Swedish reality TV show brings Swedish-Americans back ‘home’

Work permits

• ‘We’re losing the life we built in Sweden’: Work permit holders dread uncertain future
• Who will fill Sweden’s labour gap when immigrants leave?
• Reader question: Can I meet Sweden’s new work permit threshold by working multiple jobs?
• What counts as salary under Sweden's new work permit threshold?

Correction: A previous version of the podcast incorrectly stated that OB-tillägg can never be counted as salary. It can, if it is regular and mentioned in your employment contract. We apologise for the confusion.

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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 the Swedish labour market model, how an oil spill and new fishing quotas have put the Baltic Sea in focus , and an ill-tempered battle for control of Sweden’s Green Party.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Richard Orange.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

Strikes

• Tesla threatens to bring in strikebreakers as Swedish workers strike
• INTERVIEW: Is Klarna ready for the Swedish model?
• Historic strike called off after Klarna signs collective bargaining agreement

Work permits

• ‘Irresponsible experiment’: Swedish business leader slams higher work permit threshold
• ARCHIVE: Is the Swedish Model the fairest of them all?

Baltic Sea

• Clean-up after Sweden ferry oil spill could last ‘up to a year’

Politics

• Poll misery for the government and the warring Greens
• Is the Green Party’s past to blame for its current problems?

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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 November, and how a wave of international arrests is affect Sweden's gang conflict.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Expressen’s crime reporter Katrin Krantz.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss this week:

History of Sweden 

• OPINION: Why are racists in Sweden angry at history?
• ARCHIVE: Who were the first Scandinavians?

Sweden Democrat speech 

• OPINION: Åkesson’s speech may be in Arabic, but it’s for Swedish speakers

Swedish media subsidies 

Mentioned at the end of this article: 

• EXPLAINED: Swedish newspapers and how they work

Swedish November survival

• How to love November in Sweden (no, seriously!)
• Baby, it’s mörv outside: Sweden’s 13th month is here
• Is this Swedish Christmas trend the secret to happiness?
• Heartwarming story about Gothenburg’s public library goes viral

Gangs

• Who’s who in Sweden’s gang conflict?

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In this week's episode: practical Swedes, saying hej to strangers, dithering Liberals, Sweden awaits central bank decision, climate movement split over Greta Thunberg's Palestine support, how Swedish attitudes to Israel-Palestine have changed over the years. 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local’s Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange, and we also have an interview with the author and former ambassador Mathias Mossberg.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Fitting in

• Ten signs you’re becoming more Swedish than the Swedes

Saying hi

• Swedish city launches campaign to get locals to say ‘hi’

Politics

• Family in focus as Busch kicks off November congresses

Greta Thunberg

• Greta Thunberg slammed over pro-Palestinian statements at climate rally

Israel-Hamas war

• How the Israel-Gaza attacks became party politics in Sweden

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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 Blakley.

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Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Eurovision

• How to get tickets for Eurovision in Malmö
• How much can I charge if I rent out my home on Airbnb in Sweden?

Permanent residency 

• EXPLAINED: What do we know about Sweden’s plans to withdraw permanent residency?

Flat hierarchies 

• OPINION: Why Sweden’s flat hierarchy can make people seem boring

Life expectancy 

• IN DATA: Why do people in Stockholm live the longest lives in Scandinavia?

Northern Lights

• ‘I found the American dream in Swedish Lapland’
• How to take the best pictures of the Northern Lights

Politics

• Left Party and Sweden Democrat congresses
• How to take the best pictures of the Northern Lights

Cost of Living

• Sweden’s central bank leaves interest rate unchanged
• Swedish food prices 26 percent higher than two years ago – which items are worst affected?
• How much will life in Sweden cost you in 2024?

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This week: Jimmie Åkesson talks about demolishing mosques, the latest on the Tesla strike, Sweden’s Advent celebrations, solutions journalism, and why some criminologists think it’s time for Sweden to ditch zero tolerance on drugs.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Lögren and Richard Orange.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Tesla strike

• Inside Sweden: How will the Tesla strike end?
• Tesla sues Swedish state agency over number plate blockage

Advent 

• Julmys: How to get into the Christmas spirit like a Swede
• Swedish word of the day: advent

Solutions journalism

• Seven things we've learned about adding a solutions focus to reporting on migration
• As Europe comes out of lockdown, what lessons can be learned from Sweden?

Drugs 

• INTERVIEW: The past, present and future of Sweden's zero-tolerance drug policy

Sweden Democrats

• Sweden Democrat leader calls for mosques to be demolished
• Why Sweden's far-right leader is showing his radical side
• Why the Sweden Democrats are still a far-right party
• LISTEN: How the Sweden Democrats are flirting with the extreme right
• ARCHIVE: Islam 'Sweden's biggest threat': far-right leader

Swedish habits

• How to handle these 10 maddeningly Swedish passive-aggressive habits

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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 hummus restaurant, government counts cost of migration, compulsory courses for newcomers, Lucia, Nobel banquet.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local's James Savage and Emma Löfgren.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Economy

• Which Swedish banks now offer the cheapest mortgage rates?

Politics

• Is Sweden sliding towards autocracy one year on from the election?
• LISTEN: Does Sweden's new coalition deal threaten basic rights?

Education

• Swedish students' maths and reading scores plunge in Pisa world rankings

Immigration

• IN DATA: Why have so many of Sweden's Afghan child refugees got jobs?
• Syrian banker applied for 'over 2,000' jobs in Sweden before creating his own
• Sweden's government calls for investigation into cost of immigration
• What do we know about plans to make a compulsory 'Sweden course' for immigrants?

Saint Lucia

• What you need to know about celebrating Lucia in Sweden

Nobel banquet

• The dinner that proves Sweden is anything but lagom

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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 to increase their prospects of landing a job in Sweden? 

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Becky Waterton, and we also have an interview with Amanda Herzog, an American marketing expert who runs a company offering courses to international job seekers.

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Christmas travel

• What to be aware of when travelling in Sweden this Christmas

Gävle goat

• Sweden's Gävle goat is Christmas dinner for peckish birds
• GOATWATCH: Here's how you can livestream Sweden's Christmas goat

Weather

• Is Sweden heading for a white Christmas?

Politics

• What will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?

Working in Sweden

• If skilled foreigners can't find work, does Sweden have a talent shortage?

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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, and new income requirements for work permit holders.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the review of the year by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.  

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Politics

• The 20 events that formed Sweden's political landscape in 2023

Nato

• Turkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet sale

Terror threat

• What you need to know about Sweden's terror threat

Gang violence 

• 'Our kids don't even live long enough to become adults'

Salary threshold

• 'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain future

King's jubilee

• IN PICTURES: Swedes throng capital for royal jubilee
• 
  

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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 O’Mahony is joined for the preview of 2024 by all our regular panelists: James Savage, Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren.  

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Politics

• What will happen in Swedish politics in 2024?

Nato

• Turkey links Nato ratification of Sweden to F-16 fighter jet sale

Reader predictions

• 'We're losing the life we built in Sweden': Work permit holders dread uncertain future

Eurovision

• Hotels, tickets and scams: What to know about visiting Malmö for Eurovision 2024

Immigrant rights

• Foreigners in Sweden: How the migration paradigm shift affects our lives

Economy

• What's going to happen to the Swedish economy in 2024?

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This week we discuss: the official end of Christmas, snow-fueled chaos on the E22 motorway, royal abdication speculation, and why politicians and military leaders are warning of the prospect of war in Sweden. 

Richard Orange stands in as host this week and is joined by regular panelists: Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.  

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

End of Christmas

• When does Christmas end in Sweden?
• Swedish word of the day: julgransplundring

Snow chaos

• Up to 1,000 cars left stranded for hours in southern Sweden snow chaos
• INTERVIEW: Truck driver freed from Sweden's snow gridlock after 20 hours

Royals

• Will the King of Sweden be the next Nordic royal to abdicate?

Defence

• Total Defence: What's your role defending Sweden in the event of a military attack?
• What should foreigners in Sweden think about when preparing for a war or crisis?
• Swedish defence analyst: 'We should be worried about war in Sweden'
• 'There could be war in Sweden': Civil Defence Minister urges Swedes to act
• PM Ulf Kristersson: 'If you don't want to defend Sweden – don't be a Swedish citizen'
• Sweden's opposition leader slams prime minister over 'uniquely divisive' comments

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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 opposition parties failed to depose Sweden's environment minister in a confidence vote, and why public sector workers are fuming over workplace coffee cuts. 

Here are links to some of the stories we discuss:

Politics 

• Cocaine found in toilets of four Swedish parties' parliamentary offices
• How did Sweden end up with its zero-tolerance attitude to drugs?

Economy

• Swedish finance minister warns more people will lose their jobs
• New figures bring Swedish inflation close to two-percent target

Weather

• Sweden records coldest temperature of the century

Coffee

• How to be Swedish – in ten easy steps
• Why coffee was banned in Sweden five times
• Swedish word of the day: påtår

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