'We're not in a labour market in Sweden, we're in network-related recruitment'

In this week's Sweden in Focus we speak to Vida Mehrannia, the wife of the Karolinska Institute researcher Ahmedreza Djalali who was sentenced to death in Iran in 2017 and was not part of a recent prisoner exchange that saw two Swedes return home. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week Vida Mehrannia. She talks about why the family moved to Sweden, what life was like for them here before her husband’s arrest. Also, after the release last month of two other Swedish prisoners in Iran, she tells us about what attempts have been made to secure Ahmedreza Djalali’s release and if more could be done. READ ALSO: 'Why not me?' Imprisoned academic Djalali delivers stinging rebuke over prisoner swap Wife of imprisoned academic 'disappointed' after meeting Swedish foreign minister LISTEN: Anger over Sweden's prisoner swap with Iran 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.

6 Jul 202422min

In this special episode of Sweden in Focus James Savage travels to the Almedalen political week on Gotland, where he asks the chief economist of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Sven-Olov Daunfeldt, whether things might get better for work permit holders any time soon.Also in this episode: Russia is waging a hybrid war against European countries including Sweden. But what does that mean, and what does a church near Västerås Airport have to do with it? James interviews expert Patrik Oksanen, fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences and senior advisor at the Fores think tank to find out.Related articles:Sweden cuts state funding for Russian church after intelligence warningsSweden's migration agency celebrates cutting waiting times for work permitsIn Detail: How Sweden plans to further toughen its work permit system Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Jun 202423min

Strawberries linked to organised crime, US designates Swedish neo-Nazis as terrorists, opinion divided over prisoner swap with Iran.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeIllegal Swedish strawberry sales raise billions of kronor for organised crimeTerrorismUS designates Nordic far-right group as terrorists Sweden and IranSwedish EU diplomat freed from Iran says he's 'in seventh heaven' 'Why not me?' Imprisoned academic Djalali delivers stinging rebuke over prisoner swap __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. 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 202419min

Celebrate Midsummer like a Swede, EU election analysis, Sweden's most offensive words. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:MidsummerThe Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve2024 European ElectionsWho are the winners and losers of Sweden's EU election? Five things we learned from Sweden's surprising EU election results Sweden Democrat MP steps down over racist chant OPINION: Sweden Democrats have only themselves to blame for election setback LanguageNew study reveals most offensive words in Swedish 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 Jun 202425min

Striking nurses, European election preview, Sweden Democrats' anti-Arab trolling, how can Sweden get more inclusive? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Healthcare strikeNurses in Sweden launch first strike in 16 yearsEuropean electionsSix ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscape Discrimination Tell us: What can Sweden do to make the country more inclusive? __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 Jun 202413min

Iran accused of deploying Swedish gangs, Ebba Busch sparks anger over Islam remarks, how Sweden can make immigrants feel more welcome on National Day?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:IranSwedish security chiefs: Iran recruits gangs to hit Israeli targets in SwedenSweden calls Iranian diplomat to meeting over gang crime allegations European electionsWho are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? National Day (and a nod to Midsummer)Why does Sweden celebrate National Day on June 6th? The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Jun 202420min

This week in Sweden in Focus: Nurses plan to strike, Sweden Democrats vow to keep on trolling, and how can Sweden combat discrimination?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by The Local Sweden's editor Emma Löfgren and our Nordic correspondent Richard Orange. The episode also features interviews with Greg Fernando, the founder of New to Sweden, an organisation promoting greater workplace diversity, and Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Nurses strike Swedish healthcare strike: What nurses and midwives' overtime protest means for youTroll factorySwedish PM won't end Sweden Democrats collaboration over 'troll factory' Inside Sweden: Why troll factory won't spark a government crisis DiscriminationOPINION: ‘No such thing as race’: why Sweden’s colour-blind approach is failing PODCAST: Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it? 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.

25 Mai 202423min

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra: Green Party joint leader Daniel Helldén on criticism of government climate policy, the EU elections, immigration and online attacks from far-right troll accounts. After a turbulent period for the party, the Greens recently put in place a new leadership duo: Daniel Helldén, previously vice mayor of Stockholm, and Amanda Lind, the former culture minister.We chat this week with Daniel Helldén to find out about the party’s direction ahead of the upcoming EU election and beyond. We also ask where the party stands on new income requirements for work permit holders and what Helldén thinks of revelations about anonymous social media troll accounts run by the Sweden Democrats.THE KEY PLAYERS: Who's who in Swedish politics?Who are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Mai 202439min