Skiing tips, politics for immigrants, and plans for stiffer work permit rules

In this week's episode we talk about revelations that the son of Johan Forssell, Sweden's migration minister, has been active in far-right extremist groups and how the scandal is affecting the government. We also discuss what's behind a recent spate of redundancies in Sweden's games sector, an industry that employs a disproportionately high number of foreign workers. Politics Swedish minister vows to stay on despite son's links to white supremacist groupsINTERVIEW: Probe into minister's relative has revealed 'threat to Swedish security'Working in Sweden 'Awesome people get pushed away': What's happening in the Swedish gaming industry?The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish MidsummerGet 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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Jul 17min

In this week's episode we once again bring you a Swedish language quiz as The Local's journalists answer multiple choice questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden's version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Jul 14min

In this week’s episode we bring you a language quiz in which we put The Local’s journalists through their paces with questions from the vocabulary section of Högskoleprovet, the Swedish university entrance exam.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined for the quiz by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.READ ALSO:SWEDISH TEST: Can you pass the vocab part of Sweden’s version of the SAT? What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Jul 15min

In this special episode from the Almedalen political week on Gotland, James Savage talks to former US Ambassador Erik Ramanathan about how much the Trump presidency is really changing the relationship between Sweden and the US. He also has an interview with campaigner Khrystyna Hevchuk about the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees in Sweden. And Helena Renström from Skellefteå municipality talks about what Northvolt's bankruptcy means for work permit holders there. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Jun 40min

In this week's episode we talk about the bridge between Denmark and Sweden and how it means a lot more to one of our panelists than the sore feet she got after running across it. We also discuss what foreigners do to fit in in Sweden and why some people push back against assimilation.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:Sweden and DenmarkWhy the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to meReader insights'Sometimes I explode inside': How foreigners in Sweden become more Swedish to fit inTen signs you're becoming more Swedish than the SwedesGet 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.

20 Jun 14min

In this week's episode we talk about how to make the most of Sweden’s Midsummer celebrations, and we look at big changes to Sweden’s work permit system — including a new rule that could help you stay in the country if you lose your job.For Membership+ subscribers we explore why Swedes are dropping traditional surnames, racism in Swedish nightclubs, and why party leaders have been reprimanded after calling for a slow down in citizenship processing.Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:DonationDonate to The LocalWork permitsHow Sweden wants to make it easier to change employers on a work permitSweden set to double three-month deadline for (some) laid-off work permit holdersMidsummerWhy is Midsummer's Eve celebrated in Sweden?The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish MidsummerGet 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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Jun 18min

This week we talk about a new alcohol law that came into force this month and what it means for consumers.And why has a government inquiry proposed banning international adoptions and apologising to adoptees.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:AlcoholWhat Sweden's new alcohol law means for buyers and producersFamilySwedish inquiry calls for official state apology to international adopteesGet 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 Jun 14min

In this week's episode we ask why Swedish politicians are becoming more critical of Israel over the war in Gaza.We also discuss the government's plans to develop new kinds of pre-approved houses to make it easier for people to buy their own homes.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:Sweden and Israel Sweden to summon Israeli ambassador to protest Israel blocking aid to GazaSweden calls for EU sanctions targeting 'individual Israeli ministers'How Israel's invasion of Gaza became Swedish party politics againPoliticsWhy the 'Sverigehus' is a warning for the Sweden Democrats' future Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Mai 18min