How the Sweden Democrats are flirting with the extreme right
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 worksWith 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 seasonNine key things you need to know about your Swedish tax returnYour Swedish tax return: 11 ways to get money backWe’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 highSeven ways to save money on food and drink in SwedenIn 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’__SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11 Mar 202339min
How important is it to learn Swedish?
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 snapsWe 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 aheadHungary’s president Orbán says MPs ‘unenthusiastic’ about Sweden Nato bidWe 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 deadWe 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__SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4 Mar 202341min
Interview with Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Part 2
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 UkraineSURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 Feb 202313min
Work permits, defence volunteers, and what is Sweden doing to aid Ukraine?
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: sportlovWe look at why Turkey has softened its stance on Sweden’s Nato application.‘A welcome message’: Turkey open for new Nato talks with SwedenAfter 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 stagesEXPLAINED: How has Sweden adjusted its plans for work permit reform?EXPLAINED: Sweden’s planned changes to residence permit applicationsWith 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?__SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
25 Feb 202341min
Bonus episode: How can Sweden do more to help struggling households?
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__SURVEY: Share your feedback on Sweden in Focus Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 Feb 202330min
Why is Sweden the worst-performing economy in the EU?
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 yearsThen 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 rateDildos and penis pumps: Swedish home helps elderly spice up their sex livesIn 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 Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 Feb 202340min
Welcome to Sweden? Interview with migration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard
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 SwedenThen we look at a great Swedish word that describes life in Sweden at this time of the year.Swedish word of the day: oxveckornaWe 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 ministerWhat's the latest on Sweden's planned salary threshold for work permits?Swedish Migration Minister: Brexit deportations 'complete news to me' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11 Feb 202341min
Bonus episode: How can Sweden put a stop to fatal gang shootings? Part 2
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 1INTERVIEW: 'Everybody in Sweden who buys cocaine should know the money is used to buy bullets Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Feb 202333min
