Why immigrant tech workers are challenging Sweden on citizenship
In this week's episode we have an interview with an American tech worker who has launched an initiative urging the government to reconsider its plans to tighten citizenship requirements. Our panelists also discuss why Swedish politicians in Brussels have fought tooth and nail to retain the right for 15-year-old Swedes to drive extremely slowly in car-like contraptions on Swedish roads.And why are the far-right Sweden Democrats floating the idea of a future partnership with the once all-powerful Social Democrats.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenship ‘A trust breaker’: Foreign tech workers campaign against Swedish citizenship lawOPINION: Swedish media must get better at covering immigrant perspectivesWant to make Sweden more attractive, Johan Forssell? Listen to those already hereUnderstanding SwedesWhy do Swedish teenagers drive small and excruciatingly slow cars?Politics Why are the Sweden Democrats making overtures to the Social Democrats?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.
29 Mar 30min
Why thousands of foreign workers risk expulsion from Sweden
In this week's episode our panelists discuss two stories affecting work permit holders after parliament voted through a new law targeting former asylum seekers for expulsion from Sweden and Northvolt filed for bankruptcy.We also ask if Sweden should be doing more to involve immigrants in the construction of a cultural canon that could be used for citizenship tests.For Membership+ subscribers we find out what Americans are telling us about why they’re moving to Sweden and finally we delve into why a proposed new surveillance law has prompted messaging services WhatsApp and Signal to consider leaving Sweden.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'We didn't do anything wrong': Foreign workers blindsided by Sweden's 'spårbyte' repealSwedish Migration Agency warns of fast-tracked abolition of 'spårbyte' without transitional rulesSweden to abolish residency permit 'track changes' from April 1stNorthvoltWhat will happen to work permit holders at Northvolt?KEY FACTS: What we know so far about the Northvolt bankruptcyPolitics & CultureWhat books and art can we expect to be in Sweden's future cultural canon?Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?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.
22 Mar 29min
Classified documents scandal gives Sweden's prime minister a huge headache
In this week's episode we discuss: Northvolt’s bankruptcy, the criminal investigation into Sweden’s former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm, the latest on the defence situation for Sweden in relation to Russia and the United States, and why some commentators think Sweden’s needs its own nuclear deterrent.For Membership+ subscribers we look at what readers are telling us about what it’s like becoming a Swedish citizen, and finally we shine a light on the work being carried out by a taskforce on talent attraction and why the government must do more to include the kind of people it’s hoping to appeal to.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:NorthvoltKEY FACTS: What we know so far about the Northvolt bankruptcySweden's troubled Northvolt files for bankruptcy'Too early to say' if Sweden will give foreign Northvolt staff special helpUkraine'We are shocked': Americans in Sweden rally in support of UkrainePoliticsSweden's former national security adviser charged in classified documents scandalThe LocalWhy The Local launched Membership+ (and why you should join if you can)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.
15 Mar 30min
Why are politicians fighting over Sweden's multiculturalism?
In this week’s episode we discuss the latest Swedish reaction to dramatic changes in the European security landscape. What does Sweden’s defence industry look like, and does the country have enough troops to send peacekeepers to Ukraine? We also have commentary from Swedish members of the European Parliament about the harsh rhetoric on immigration we’ve seen in Sweden in recent years.For Membership+ subscribers we look at proposals for a new grading system for Swedish schools to replace a method that critics say is no longer fit for purpose, and finally we dig into reactions to the Migration Agency’s revamped website. 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:MilitaryHow Sweden's defence industry is ramping up productionSwedish PM 'willing to send peacekeepers to Ukraine'Swedish police open 'sabotage' probe over Gotland water supply damageImmigrationSwedish migration minister in multiculturalism row with Sweden Democrat leaderIs the government changing its rhetoric on immigration?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.
8 Mar 20min
Why is Sweden such a trusting society?
In this week's episode we look at what makes Sweden such a trusting society.We also discuss Muharrem Demirok's decision to step down as Centre Party leader and what it means for the future of a party that's currently siding with the left but has previously allied itself with the right.And why has a supreme court ruling on European data protection drawn howls of protest from Swedish publishers?Host Richard Orange is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Sweden Explained'Sweden has changed fundamentally but the level of trust is the same'Which companies do Swedes trust the most?PoliticsSwedish Centre Party leader Muharrem Demirok to step downCould a new Centre Party leader determine Sweden's next PM?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.
1 Mar 29min
How is Sweden reacting to Trump's seismic shift on European security?
In this week's episode we talk about how Sweden is reacting to the United States’ dramatic foreign policy pivot on Europe. What are Swedish politicians saying after US Vice President JD Vance kickstarted a week of new lows in US-Europe relations? We also look at the planned closure of an international upper-level high school in Stockholm and speak to Abdirahim Mohammed, the student who launched a petition calling for action to save the school.Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Politics'Ice in the stomach': Swedish politicians react to Trump's new world orderWill Europe match words with actions after being sidelined by Trump?Swedish word of the day: is i magenSchoolsIES to close Stockholm flagship school leaving 159 students strandedWhat's it like to work as a foreign teacher at Swedish free school chain IES?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.
22 Feb 24min
Why post-Örebro gun control split the Sweden Democrats
In this week's episode: Reader reactions to Örebro mass murder, and why a gun law debate sparked fury among Sweden Democrats. For Membership+ subscribers: What would make the government rethink a plan to apply citizenship law changes retroactively to current applicants? And why the King revealed the wrong name for a new Swedish princess.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeOPINION: It's down to Sweden's lawmakers to help immigrants feel less vulnerableFULL LIST: What we know of the ten victims of the Örebro campus attackDid the prime minister find his inner statesman?Sweden to allow schoolbag searches after mass shootingPoliticsTop Sweden Democrat steps down after party pushes ahead with AR-15 banSweden to limit access to semi-automatic weapons after mass shootingGet 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+ Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 Feb 28min
What we know about Sweden's worst ever mass shooting
We're releasing the podcast earlier than usual this week to bring you up to date information on this week's horrific shooting in Örebro that left eleven people dead. We also look at why Sweden’s government wants to make the new citizenship rules retroactive and how applicants are reacting.In the longer version for Membership+ subscribers we give you the lowdown on sportlov, the annual Swedish school break that sees families leave the cities en masse for the northern slopes and, finally, we dig into why the government is planning to give foreign experts bigger tax cuts.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:Crime'Multiple nationalities' among victims in Swedish mass shooting: policeWhat we know so far about the Örebro campus attackPoliticsSwedish government to make new citizenship rules retroactiveUPDATED: Readers' questions answered on Sweden's citizenship reformsGet 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.
6 Feb 25min
