What's coming up in Sweden in 2023?

Sweden's government promised a paradigm shift on immigration and this was a week in which they moved ahead with some cornerstone policies. As we spoke about in last week's podcast, enhanced security checks are expected to slow down decisions on citizenship by a migration authority already struggling to manage a backlog of more than 80,000 applications. The head of a government inquiry this week recommended a grace period for existing applicants as Sweden moves to extend residency requirements from five to eight years for citizenship. In this week's episode politicians remind us that they're not obliged to follow the inquiry's recommendations. For Membership+ subscribers we discuss why dual citizenship is on the agenda this week after a parliamentary committee recommended changing the constitution to enable the revocation of Swedish citizenship for serious crimes including espionage, terrorism and treason. But a disagreement between the government and the Social Democrats on which crimes should be covered suggests this is an issue we'll be hearing much more about in the run-up to the 2026 election. 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:New Swedish citizenship rulesSwedish government inquiry proposes increasing citizenship wait to eight yearsKEY POINTS: Sweden's plans for tougher citizenship rulesReaders' questions answered on Sweden's citizenship reformsHow do foreigners feel about extending Sweden's citizenship wait to eight years?Swedish migration minister won't rule out making new citizenship rules retroactiveGet 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.

18 Jan 35min

Migration minister on citizenship security checks, January's 'ox weeks', citizenship and immigration rule changes, Northvolt's battle for survival. For membership+ subscribers: why Sweden has a wolf hunt, and what readers say about receiving wrong information from the Migration Agency. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenshipLabour migrants 'should not be worried at all' about citizenship checks, says ministerLanguage & TraditionTjugonde Knut: Why Swedish Christmas lasts until January 13thSwedish word of the day: oxveckornaSweden in 2025Seven things to look forward to in Sweden in 2025NorthvoltNorthvolt shareholders give company green light to continue operationsEnvironmentSweden to launch wolf cull amid conservation concernsMigration AgencyHow often does Sweden's Migration Agency give out false information?How does the Swedish Migration Agency check that its information is accurate?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.

11 Jan 14min

This week we’re going to turn our attention to the year ahead with some soothsaying on what to expect in politics and the economy in 2025 and we’ll also hear some of The Local’s readers' predictions for the year ahead. 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:ImmigrationHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025PoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs off heavy criticism of nuclear financing plansWhat's in the Social Democrats' plan to eradicate Sweden's 'vulnerable areas'?EconomyWhat's the outlook for the Swedish labour market in 2025? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Jan 21min

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we look back at the Swedish year in news. As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the stories that shaped Sweden over the past year. Join us for an end-of-year quiz where we dive into the headlines and events that shaped the news agenda. What do you remember about the extreme weather events that kickstarted 2024? Do you recall who won Olympic gold medals for Sweden? And can you believe that it was only this year that Sweden finally joined Nato? Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.Good luck! And here you can read more about each of the questions: January February March April May June July August September October November December Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Dec 202418min

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans. 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:ChristmasFACT CHECK: Did a Swedish company really tell staff not to say Merry Christmas?What you need to know about travelling in Sweden for Christmas 2024Sweden's beloved TV series that changes every yearCitizenshipSweden Democrat leader: 'People who are born here should be able to lose their citizenship'Lawyers and migration experts slam Swedish government's citizenship slowdown bidWhat's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?Work permitsHow new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025'A hodgepodge of bad measures': Swedish employers' group slams work permit changes Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Dec 202429min

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:SyriaSweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on holdWhere did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024?LiteratureTen Swedish books to read this yearEXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF) 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.

14 Dec 202423min

In this week's episode: Sweden’s Lucia tradition, who was Princess Birgitta, what we know about the government’s plan to stall citizenship grants.Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__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:LuciaWhat you need to know about celebrating Lucia in SwedenRoyalIN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken elder sister?Swedish citizenshipSwedish government strikes deal to slow down Sweden citizenship awardsOPINION: Foreigners in Sweden deserve fair and transparent citizenship rulesSwedish citizenship slowdown 'very sketchy', says top Social DemocratGet 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 Dec 202423min

In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz. Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__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:PoliticsFormer parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl diesAdventSwedish word of the day: adventWhy do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent?MigrationSweden's government agrees to exempt schools, healthcare and social work from 'snitch law'LanguageThe seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes throughGet 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.

30 Nov 202423min