'It's not Christmas in Sweden without a culture war'
Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ChristmasFACT CHECK: Did a Swedish company really tell staff not to say Merry Christmas?What you need to know about travelling in Sweden for Christmas 2024Sweden's beloved TV series that changes every yearCitizenshipSweden Democrat leader: 'People who are born here should be able to lose their citizenship'Lawyers and migration experts slam Swedish government's citizenship slowdown bidWhat's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?Work permitsHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025'A hodgepodge of bad measures': Swedish employers' group slams work permit changes Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 Des 202429min
What do Syrians in Sweden think of calls for them to 'go home'?
Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:SyriaSweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on holdWhere did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024?LiteratureTen Swedish books to read this yearEXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF) Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 Des 202423min
What we know so far about Sweden’s plan for fewer new citizens
In this week's episode: Sweden’s Lucia tradition, who was Princess Birgitta, what we know about the government’s plan to stall citizenship grants.Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:LuciaWhat you need to know about celebrating Lucia in SwedenRoyalIN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken elder sister?Swedish citizenshipSwedish government strikes deal to slow down Sweden citizenship awardsOPINION: Foreigners in Sweden deserve fair and transparent citizenship rulesSwedish citizenship slowdown 'very sketchy', says top Social DemocratGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Des 202423min
All you need to know about Sweden's planned new 'snitch law'
In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz. Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:PoliticsFormer parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl diesAdventSwedish word of the day: adventWhy do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent?MigrationSweden's government agrees to exempt schools, healthcare and social work from 'snitch law'LanguageThe seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes throughGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Nov 202423min
Curb your immigration: Swedish politicians ramp up the rhetoric
Special offer for members of The LocalGet free 2-month upgrade to Membership+ __In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Immigration Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rightsSweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in placeWinterHow to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons LanguageStockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word __Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 Nov 202420min
Why Tesla and striking Swedish unions are still deadlocked one year on
Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CultureIs the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreignersUS election Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas Tesla strikeSwedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16 Nov 202418min
What does a Trump victory mean for Americans in Sweden (and everyone else)?
Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:US ElectionAmericans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election winEconomySweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? CrimeSwedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
9 Nov 202422min
Could backing Israel seriously become a condition for Swedish citizenship?
In this week's episode: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.Host James Savage is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Nordic Council of MinistersNordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migrationIsrael and citizenshipNew Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demandsIndian ambassadorIndia's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandalSweden's best universitiesRANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 Nov 202419min
