Sweden in Focus

By The Local

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Episodes: 278

Description

Sweden in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Sweden as well as explore and explain the issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter James Savage chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s Emma LöfgrenRichard Orange and Mandy Pipher. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Episode Date
Sweden's Prime Minister rocked by corruption claims
Jun 12, 2026
'Disappointing and sad': Treasured Swedish museums risk closure over rising rents
Jun 09, 2026
Why this year's Swedish National Day will be bittersweet
Jun 04, 2026
'Sweden's next migration minister will have a big cleaning job to do'
Jun 01, 2026
What happens if Sweden Democrats get top jobs in next government?
May 29, 2026
'Devastated' – Swedish citizenship hopefuls fear for the future as deadline looms
May 26, 2026
How relaxed alcohol laws could spice up Sweden's nightlife
May 22, 2026
'A mistake to commit to a government with Sweden Democrats'
May 19, 2026
Why 1,800 lawyers warn rule of law is under threat in Sweden
May 14, 2026
'All applications in Sweden's citizenship queue will be assessed according to the new rules'
May 12, 2026
Week of chaos in Swedish politics after citizenship vote scandal
May 08, 2026
'Swedes are realising we need people from other countries to do jobs'
May 06, 2026
How Sweden’s dramatic citizenship law deadline day unfolded
Apr 30, 2026
'Still a mystery' how Sweden's left can end in-fighting to rule together
Apr 28, 2026
Why most high-skilled workers say they're happy in Sweden
Apr 24, 2026
'Sweden is no longer good at protecting the interests of its international residents'
Apr 22, 2026
Why Sweden is shutting off pathways to permanent residency
Apr 17, 2026
‘It’s wrong for the Swedish state to decide who companies should employ’
Apr 15, 2026
Why does Ulf Kristersson want to put Sweden Democrats in charge of immigration?
Apr 11, 2026
Sweden's immigration overhaul 'erodes trust in government institutions'
Apr 08, 2026
How serious is Sweden's democratic decline?
Apr 03, 2026
'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'
Mar 31, 2026
How to celebrate Easter in Sweden, and unions press government on immigration clampdown
Mar 28, 2026
'Politicians knew teens would be kicked out – the surprise was the reaction'
Mar 25, 2026
Crunch time for Sweden's new citizenship law
Mar 19, 2026
Why the Liberals abandoned their opposition to Sweden Democrats in government
Mar 17, 2026
What does Sweden's deportation climbdown mean for immigrants?
Mar 14, 2026
Stricter immigration 'will make Sweden less attractive' for game workers
Mar 11, 2026
How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on Iran?
Mar 07, 2026
'Sweden is setting itself up for a losing battle' on skilled immigration
Mar 04, 2026
Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan
Feb 28, 2026
Sweden's teen deportations: 'It feels like they wanted him to turn 18 so they could reject him'
Feb 24, 2026
Deportation order for 8-month-old baby shocks Sweden
Feb 21, 2026
Parents lash out at Sweden's 'absurd' teen deportations
Feb 17, 2026
Why high-skilled workers feel betrayed by Sweden
Feb 14, 2026
The battle to end Sweden's teen deportations
Feb 10, 2026
What's in the new immigration laws Sweden is rushing to pass?
Feb 07, 2026
Why revoking Swedish residency is 'obviously' illegal
Feb 04, 2026
How important is US trade and will Sweden join the euro?
Jan 31, 2026
'I'm in complete confusion': Indian entrepreneur faces threat of expulsion from Sweden
Jan 28, 2026
Will Sweden backtrack on worker deportations as media pressure mounts?
Jan 23, 2026
Swedish minister: 'EU needs to step up on defence'
Jan 21, 2026
Why did Sweden greenlight so few new citizenships in 2025?
Jan 17, 2026
'People who have done everything by the book are being kicked out of Sweden'
Jan 14, 2026
Will street protests stop Sweden deporting foreign workers?
Jan 09, 2026
‘I love Sweden but the anti-immigrant rhetoric must stop’
Jan 02, 2026
Sweden in Focus end of year quiz 2025
Dec 26, 2025
Why Sweden's Moderates are sending mixed messages on work permit immigration
Dec 20, 2025
Sweden in 2026: Will immigration be a big election issue?
Dec 17, 2025
How can Sweden get better at integrating immigrants?
Dec 13, 2025
'I hate to be stereotypical but the light in northern Sweden is amazing'
Dec 10, 2025
Popular Lucia songs, and why does northern Sweden face so much prejudice?
Dec 06, 2025
How good is your Swedish vocabulary? - Quiz 15
Dec 04, 2025
Why The Local is investigating Sweden's immigrant detention centres
Nov 29, 2025
Talent deportation: 'It's a lose-lose game for Sweden and Swedish taxpayers'
Nov 26, 2025
Liberals in crisis: Will Sweden soon have one less party in parliament?
Nov 22, 2025
Meet the New Zealander who missed pies so much in Sweden he started selling his own
Nov 19, 2025
Why is the Sweden Democrats' 'immigration map' not getting more pushback?
Nov 15, 2025
How good is your Swedish vocabulary? - Quiz 14
Nov 12, 2025
Sweden's divorce rate not Europe's highest – but more likely for foreigners
Nov 08, 2025
How good is your Swedish vocabulary? - Quiz 13
Nov 05, 2025
Why many Swedes feast on goose blood in November
Nov 01, 2025
How good is your Swedish vocabulary? - Quiz 12
Oct 29, 2025
Does it matter if Sweden's foreign football manager speaks the language?
Oct 25, 2025
'We belong to this city': Malmö hummus bar owner fights parent' deportation
Oct 22, 2025
How hatred and threats are undermining Swedish democracy
Oct 18, 2025
'We're not in a labour market in Sweden, we're in network-related recruitment'
Oct 15, 2025
'We're not in a labour market in Sweden, we're in network-related recruitment'
Oct 15, 2025
What's too expensive in Sweden (and what do you miss when you're not here)?
Oct 11, 2025
Volvo engineer leaves Sweden for Brazil after 'mean decision' to deport teenage son
Oct 08, 2025
Bilingual schools under fire from Sweden's education minister
Oct 04, 2025
Sweden’s teen deportation problem ‘extremely easy’ to fix
Oct 01, 2025
What's in the Swedish right's radical new plan (apart from disenfranchising immigrants)?
Sep 27, 2025
'A big impact': How important is your name when seeking a job in Sweden?
Sep 24, 2025
Are anti-immigrant attacks in Sweden getting the coverage they deserve?
Sep 20, 2025
'I've never even jaywalked in Sweden'
Sep 17, 2025
What's in Sweden's 'absolutely shameless' new budget?
Sep 13, 2025
'We have let the Sweden Democrats become our voice on immigration'
Sep 10, 2025
Is Sweden's new cultural canon helpful for immigrants?
Sep 06, 2025
Moving to Sweden: 'The help I got from Dalarna was mind-blowing'
Sep 03, 2025
Why Swedish universities are refusing to design citizenship tests
Aug 30, 2025
So you moved to Sweden. Are you an immigrant, a foreigner or an expat?
Aug 23, 2025
Cricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players?
Aug 20, 2025
Why is Sweden deporting young adult children of permanent residents?
Aug 16, 2025
Why Sweden’s right-wing parties are bickering over call to freeze trade with Israel
Aug 09, 2025
Why are Sweden and Denmark going different ways on work permits
Aug 02, 2025
Work permit salary thresholds: Does exempted job list mean anything?
Jul 30, 2025
Why Swedes stay home in summer (and it's not for the rain)
Jul 26, 2025
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 11
Jul 23, 2025
Can Sweden's migration minister survive scandal of son's extremist links?
Jul 19, 2025
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 10
Jul 12, 2025
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 9
Jul 05, 2025
Almedalen special: Swedish red tape vexes Ukrainians
Jun 28, 2025
 Fit in or stick out? How Sweden changes you
Jun 20, 2025
Good news at last for work permit holders in Sweden
Jun 14, 2025
Sweden's new alcohol law: 'Freedom reform' or flop?
Jun 07, 2025
Red cottage nightmares, and is Sweden’s support for Israel crumbling?
May 31, 2025
Why Sweden is making it illegal to order OnlyFans sex
May 24, 2025
How Swedish immigration rules fuel 'chronic anxiety' for foreign researchers
May 17, 2025
Why Johan Forssell wants to change Sweden's 'weird' immigration system
May 10, 2025
'Sweden was like a paradise at first – but then reality hits'
May 07, 2025
How Sweden tightened immigration after the 2015 refugee crisis
May 03, 2025
Why Sweden celebrates spring with bonfires and songs
Apr 26, 2025
All about Eves: Why Sweden celebrates holidays a day early
Apr 18, 2025
What the fika! How Swedes are reacting to sky-high coffee prices
Apr 12, 2025
Will Sweden's 'poor conduct' law muzzle immigrants?
Apr 05, 2025
Why immigrant tech workers are challenging Sweden on citizenship
Mar 29, 2025
Why thousands of foreign workers risk expulsion from Sweden
Mar 22, 2025
Classified documents scandal gives Sweden's prime minister a huge headache
Mar 15, 2025
Why are politicians fighting over Sweden's multiculturalism?
Mar 08, 2025
Why is Sweden such a trusting society?
Mar 01, 2025
How is Sweden reacting to Trump's seismic shift on European security?
Feb 22, 2025
Why post-Örebro gun control split the Sweden Democrats
Feb 15, 2025
What we know about Sweden's worst ever mass shooting 
Feb 06, 2025
How to speak Scanian like a southern Swede
Feb 01, 2025
Is your Swedish good enough for university? – Quiz 1
Jan 28, 2025
What makes Sweden one of the world's most innovative countries?
Jan 25, 2025
Will Sweden's new citizenship rules put foreign workers off?
Jan 18, 2025
Buckle up for more Swedish immigration curbs in 2025
Jan 11, 2025
Sweden in 2025: From reader predictions to new immigration rules
Jan 04, 2025
Sweden in Focus end of year quiz 2024
Dec 28, 2024
'It's not Christmas in Sweden without a culture war'
Dec 21, 2024
What do Syrians in Sweden think of calls for them to 'go home'?
Dec 14, 2024
What we know so far about Sweden’s plan for fewer new citizens
Dec 07, 2024
All you need to know about Sweden's planned new 'snitch law'
Nov 30, 2024
Curb your immigration: Swedish politicians ramp up the rhetoric
Nov 23, 2024
Why Tesla and striking Swedish unions are still deadlocked one year on
Nov 16, 2024
What does a Trump victory mean for Americans in Sweden (and everyone else)?
Nov 09, 2024
Could backing Israel seriously become a condition for Swedish citizenship?
Nov 02, 2024
Why Sweden's tax-and-spend makeover has split the political left
Oct 26, 2024
What are the sure signs you definitely live in Sweden?
Oct 19, 2024
Are Jimmie Åkesson’s gang leader links damaging for the Sweden Democrats?
Oct 12, 2024
Why Sweden's begging ban debate feels a decade out of date
Oct 05, 2024
Why Sweden risks blowback from 3-month limit for jobseekers
Sep 28, 2024
What are Sweden's budget priorities for immigrants?
Sep 21, 2024
What words from other Nordic languages do all Swedes know?
Sep 14, 2024
Can Sweden's new screen guidelines stop the endless scrolling?
Sep 07, 2024
Should fathers be allowed to 'give away the bride' at Swedish weddings?
Aug 31, 2024
Why Swedish 'child soldiers' do dirty work for Danish gangs
Aug 24, 2024
Strange noises Swedes make that you won't find in a dictionary
Aug 16, 2024
Why an award-winning businessman risks deportation from Sweden
Aug 10, 2024
How Sweden's stricter immigration rules are hurting the games industry
Aug 03, 2024
How wage requirements for foreign workers are hitting Sweden's startups
Jul 27, 2024
What do foreigners value most about living in Sweden?
Jul 20, 2024
Family reunification to get harder in Sweden, and is now a good time to buy property?
Jul 13, 2024
'How can Sweden leave behind a citizen who was sentenced to death?'
Jul 06, 2024
Almedalen special: Why does Sweden make life so hard for foreign talent?
Jun 29, 2024
Anger over prisoner swap with Iran, and how strawberries fuel Sweden's gangs
Jun 20, 2024
Sweden's most offensive words and a bad night for the far right
Jun 15, 2024
Three parties risk European elimination as Sweden goes to the polls
Jun 08, 2024
Is Iran using Swedish gangs in its proxy war with Israel?
Jun 01, 2024
How can Sweden get more immigrants in leadership roles?
May 25, 2024
INTERVIEW - Sweden's labour migration clampdown will harm green transition: Green Party leader
May 22, 2024
Sweden Democrat troll factory scandal grows and Taylor Swift hits Stockholm
May 18, 2024
How will lower interest rates affect your life in Sweden, and how likely is a 4-day week?
May 10, 2024
Why do we get a day off for Ascension and who's the new joint leader of Sweden's Green Party?
May 04, 2024
How can Sweden attract and retain skilled foreigners?
Apr 27, 2024
How a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practices
Apr 20, 2024
50 years of Abba, children’s residence permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law
Apr 13, 2024
Gender law splits government and will there be a Swedish pope?
Apr 06, 2024
How happy are Swedes?
Mar 30, 2024
Waffle Day, terror arrests, Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats in war of words
Mar 23, 2024
New migration numbers and why a Swedish kids' magazine ignores prudish parents
Mar 16, 2024
INTERVIEW: 'Lots of kids growing up in Sweden are not allowed to feel Swedish'
Mar 11, 2024
'Better late than sorry' as Sweden joins Nato, and will Norwegians sing for Sweden?
Mar 09, 2024
What do Swedes think of Russia and Ukraine? And bloodied 85-year-old beats ski record
Mar 02, 2024
The dreaded orange envelope, book tips, and how will Nato membership change Sweden?
Feb 24, 2024
What are the best tips for making friends in Sweden?
Feb 21, 2024
Skiing tips, politics for immigrants, and plans for stiffer work permit rules
Feb 17, 2024
What makes dating in Sweden so hard (and how to succeed)?
Feb 14, 2024
Semla bun frenzy, anti-Semitism in Sweden, and why a Gucci cap could get you frisked
Feb 10, 2024
New work permit system, Macron's Sweden visit and who are the Sami?
Feb 03, 2024
Top politician wants to ban Islamic symbols, and is Sweden prepared for cyber attacks?
Jan 27, 2024
Centre-right collapse explained, and why do Swedes drink so much coffee?
Jan 20, 2024
Why are politicians warning 'there could be war in Sweden'?
Jan 13, 2024
What's coming up in Sweden in 2024?
Jan 06, 2024
What were the stories that defined Sweden in 2023?
Dec 30, 2023
Christmas travel, new political party rumours, and how can immigrants get jobs in Sweden?
Dec 21, 2023
Cheaper home loans, immigration costs, and plans for a compulsory 'Sweden course'
Dec 16, 2023
'Networking is the key to everything in Sweden'
Dec 09, 2023
How a call to demolish mosques sent shock waves through Swedish politics
Dec 02, 2023
Permanent residency under review and will cost of living in Sweden soon drop?
Nov 25, 2023
How is Sweden reacting to the Israel-Hamas war?
Nov 18, 2023
Who were Sweden's first inhabitants and why do more people want guns?
Nov 11, 2023
Swedish model under threat, and which party leaders are doomed?
Nov 04, 2023
Your questions answered on Sweden's new work permit rules
Oct 28, 2023
Why a terrorist targeted Swedes, and does the far right run Sweden now?
Oct 21, 2023
INTERVIEW: Why didn't the Social Democrats fix Sweden's school segregation problems?
Oct 18, 2023
Work permit holders appeal to Sweden to let them stay
Oct 14, 2023
Immigrant fears over work permit rules and Sweden moves towards more surveillance
Oct 07, 2023
Shocking week of gang violence, and why northern Sweden needs foreign workers
Sep 30, 2023
How will the budget affect you, and why is Sweden's gang violence escalating?
Sep 23, 2023
King’s 50th jubilee, and must Swedish citizenship be ‘protected’?
Sep 16, 2023
What immigrants think of Sweden's migration shift, euro debate, and stinky herring
Sep 09, 2023
Why does Sweden allow Quran burnings?
Sep 02, 2023
Will new renting rules fix Sweden's housing crisis?
Jul 01, 2023
Why Swedes take such long summer holidays (and why we all should)
Jun 24, 2023
Midsummer tips, smoke-free Sweden, and how Stockholm can learn from Malmö on gun crime
Jun 17, 2023
What makes Sweden a place worth celebrating?
Jun 10, 2023
What you need to know about Sweden’s planned permanent residency tests
Jun 03, 2023
How the Swedish health system works (and doesn't work)
May 30, 2023
Lifestyle trends, Swexit talk, and how good is Swedish healthcare?
May 27, 2023
How can Sweden make its schools less segregated?
May 23, 2023
Summer getaways, lower food prices, and Swedish schools explained
May 20, 2023
Is democracy really under threat in Sweden?
May 12, 2023
Interview with Swedish Migration Agency boss, Part 2
May 09, 2023
Interview with Swedish Migration Agency boss, Part 1
May 06, 2023
INTERVIEW: Why is Sweden scared to talk about racism? Part 2
May 02, 2023
Why is Sweden scared to talk about racism?
Apr 29, 2023
INTERVIEW: Is Spotify ready for the Swedish model?
Apr 27, 2023
INTERVIEW: Is Klarna ready for the Swedish model?
Apr 25, 2023
Learn Swedish the rude way, and how foreigners are unionizing Sweden's tech sector
Apr 22, 2023
INTERVIEW: The past, present and future of Sweden's zero-tolerance drug policy
Apr 15, 2023
Easter traditions, threats to democracy, and Swedish attitudes to drugs explained
Apr 08, 2023
Price wars, nudity, and why has Sweden gone cold on climate change?
Apr 01, 2023
Swedish gangster rap, property market turbulence, and who’s Chris O’Neill?
Mar 25, 2023
Swedish language reform controversy, and who are all the Skarsgårds?
Mar 18, 2023
Part 2: How the Sweden Democrats are flirting with the extreme right
Mar 14, 2023
How the Sweden Democrats are flirting with the extreme right
Mar 11, 2023
How important is it to learn Swedish?
Mar 04, 2023
Interview with Ukraine's ambassador to Sweden, Part 2
Feb 28, 2023
Work permits, defence volunteers, and what is Sweden doing to aid Ukraine?
Feb 25, 2023
Bonus episode: How can Sweden do more to help struggling households?
Feb 21, 2023
Why is Sweden the worst-performing economy in the EU?
Feb 18, 2023
Welcome to Sweden? Interview with migration minister Maria Malmer Stenergard
Feb 11, 2023
Bonus episode: How can Sweden put a stop to fatal gang shootings? Part 2
Feb 07, 2023
How can Sweden put a stop to fatal gang shootings? Part 1
Feb 04, 2023
Bonus episode: How Sweden became a paradise for billionaires, Part 2
Jan 31, 2023
How Sweden became a paradise for billionaires
Jan 28, 2023
Dual citizens' loyalties, new sleeper train, and a green game changer in Kiruna
Jan 21, 2023
Money-saving tips, migration law updates, and why is the King so annoyed?
Jan 14, 2023
What's coming up in Sweden in 2023?
Dec 31, 2022
Swedish news quiz 2022 - How well do you remember the year?
Dec 23, 2022
Migration agency delays, far-right meddling, and Sweden's Christmas traditions explained
Dec 17, 2022
Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreigners
Dec 10, 2022
Why Swedes and foreigners clash in love (and how to make it work)
Dec 03, 2022
Why does Sweden want to revoke permanent residency?
Nov 26, 2022
Why doesn't Sweden gather data on race and ethnicity – and should it?
Nov 19, 2022
Budget anger, Turkey deadlock, and can you pass The Local's Swedish citizenship test?
Nov 12, 2022
Climate criticism, struggling Ukrainians, and work permit limits under fire
Nov 05, 2022
Racism in Sweden, and how welcome do foreigners feel after the election?
Oct 29, 2022
Does Sweden's new coalition deal threaten basic rights?
Oct 22, 2022
How will the new government affect foreigners' lives in Sweden?
Oct 15, 2022
Why foreigners are furious about 'humiliating' work permit delays
Oct 08, 2022
Baltic gas blasts, key Swedish words, and how to keep living costs low
Oct 01, 2022
Why does Sweden allow profit-making schools?
Sep 24, 2022
What are the Sweden Democrats' plans for immigrants?
Sep 17, 2022
What next for Sweden as far right catches scent of real power?
Sep 12, 2022
Why is no one talking to immigrants in this election?
Sep 10, 2022
Fighting crime, and how could the Sweden Democrats change Sweden?
Sep 03, 2022
How to combat segregation, and is this Sweden's ugliest ever election?
Aug 27, 2022
Parties target immigrant kids, and what are the Sweden Democrats' election prospects?
Aug 20, 2022
What are the Swedish election pledges that most affect foreigners?
Aug 13, 2022
Why Sweden is following Denmark on language tests and integration
Aug 06, 2022
PODCAST SUMMER SPECIAL: the pocket book election, and doesn't Sweden want foreign talent?
Jul 08, 2022
PODCAST: Swedish holiday traditions, and why has the Centre Party plummeted in the polls?
Jun 25, 2022
What makes people move to Sweden (apart from love and money)?
Jun 18, 2022
Tensions rise in Swedish politics as crucial election looms
Jun 11, 2022
Sweden’s new work permit law: what are the pros and cons?
Jun 04, 2022
How Sweden’s flat hierarchies work (and attitudes to alcohol)
May 28, 2022
End of an era: What's next for Sweden after Nato application?
May 21, 2022
Why is Sweden getting tougher on immigration?
May 14, 2022
What is Sweden doing to combat Russian propaganda?
May 07, 2022
How will the global energy crisis affect life in Sweden? 
Apr 30, 2022
Why Sweden experienced its worst riots in decades
Apr 23, 2022
Next stop Nato, healthcare tips, and are the Liberals doomed?
Apr 16, 2022
65,000 bomb shelters, a Swedish teacher's tips, and Easter insults
Apr 09, 2022
Beat the Swedish system, IndiskFika, and trouble over mines
Apr 02, 2022
Arming Ukraine, rising Swedish prices, and ‘talent deportations’
Mar 26, 2022
Ukrainian refugees, Swedish for Immigrants classes, and does the typical Swede exist?
Mar 19, 2022
The Nato dilemma, what Sweden expects of us in a crisis, and how you can help Ukraine
Mar 12, 2022
New migration laws, a Covid recap and life in the Gothenburg archipelago
Jul 17, 2021
Coop cyberattack, the return of Löfven and personnummer havoc
Jul 10, 2021
Political misrepresentation abroad, language tests and Swedish stereotypes
Jul 03, 2021
The Left Party and Centre Party divide, rent control and why snaps?
Jun 26, 2021
Political crisis, reopening plans and a much argued over Swedish habit
Jun 19, 2021
Shrinking liberals, travel travails and the politics of timber - Sweden in Focus
Jun 12, 2021
Introducing - Sweden in Focus
Jun 09, 2021