Sweden in Focus12 Apr 2025

What the fika! How Swedes are reacting to sky-high coffee prices

In this week's episode we talk about about a rush to buy coffee amid rocketing prices and we hear from an expert on Sweden's coffee culture, Henrik Scander.

We also examine the political fallout after an official inquiry recommended stricter regulation of Sweden’s much-debated free schools.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at efforts to stop motorists running over frogs and we discuss differences between how animal noises are described in English and Swedish.

We also dig into calls by the opposition Social Democrats to extend the current three-month time limit given to work permit holders to land a new job when they find themselves out of work.

And finally we have the latest on Sweden’s moves to make it impossible for asylum seekers to get permanent residency.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

Podcast awards

The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast shortlisted for award

Cost of living

Schools

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