Sweden in Focus

The Local

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 Löfgren, Richard 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.

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287 episodes
Updated July 25

Episodes287

Newest first

February 24 · 3 min
Sweden's teen deportations: 'It feels like they wanted him to turn 18 so they could reject him'
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange interviews Ximena Ramos Salas and her husband Nelson Loyola about the pending deportation of their son Andres. Ximena grew up in Sweden and the family moved back from Canada in 2018 to be with her terminally ill mother in Skåne. Her son, who has severe ADHD, has dropped out of his adult education classes as a result of the stress and anxiety brought on by the decision to deport him. "There's no way we're gonna send him back alone. He is fully dependent on us." READ ALSO: 'If I’d known, I wouldn't have come': How Sweden's teen deportations deter skilled workers Swedish government to look at allowing teen deportees to graduate Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 21 · 16 min
Deportation order for 8-month-old baby shocks Sweden
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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+ This week we talk about a deportation order issued to an eight-year-old infant that has shocked Sweden. In lighter news, we’ll ask why one Swedish town wants more of its inhabitants to get intimate during work hours. __ For Membership+ subscribers we dig into the first figures on voluntary repatriation after the government offered a large grant to get more people who came to Sweden as refugees to leave the country. Finally we look at the history of sportlov, Sweden’s annual spring break, and we give advice on how to make best use of the holiday. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as a late cameo from Richard's children. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Immigration Outrage after Swedish Migration Agency orders baby to be deported Over 270 foreigners apply for 350,000 kronor grant to leave Sweden Working in Sweden How you can get your Swedish employer to pay for your gym membership Work permits Everything you need to know about skiing on 'sportlov' 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.
February 17 · 2 min
Parents lash out at Sweden's 'absurd' teen deportations
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode we talk about the latest development on teen deportations, as the issue continues to dominate the headlines in Sweden. The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange explains why Sweden is deporting the 18-year-old children of permanent residency applicants. And what are the government's plans now that pressure is mounting to take action to stop the deportation of high school students. Richard also speaks to Besnik Barani, a software developer from Kosovo who has appealed a Migration Agency decision to deport his daughter. Like many other parents The Local has spoken to recently, Barani is hoping for an end to what he describes as an absurd situation. READ ALSO: Swedish government to look at allowing teen deportees to graduate What are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 14 · 18 min
Why high-skilled workers feel betrayed by Sweden
This week we have a heavy focus on immigration after the government revealed the details of a proposed new law tightening up citizenship requirement which sparked anger among many readers of The Local, mainly because the new rules will even apply to people who have been waiting years for their applications to be processed. For Membership+ subscribers we also look at the latest on teen deportations as the government comes under pressure to halt the expulsion of the young adult children of permanent residency holders. Finally we focus on work visas after we learned more this week about the government’s plans to allow limited exemptions to salary requirements for permit holders. 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: Swedish citizenship Sweden reveals plan to tighten up citizenship rules Your questions about Sweden's new citizenship law Swedish citizenship almost impossible for stay-at-home partners under new law Teen deportations Swedish PM says no plans for a freeze on teen deportations What are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem? Work permits Swedish government tells Migration Agency 'limited need' for work permit exemptions Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 10 · 4 min
The battle to end Sweden's teen deportations
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode we shine a light on teen deportations, an issue that has jumped to the top of Sweden’s political agenda. The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with the migration policy spokespeople for the Green and Centre parties, two of three parties backing an initiative to end the deportation of the 18 year old children of permanent residency applicants. Annika Hirvonen from the Green Party explains why the Greens and the Left Party have filed a parliamentary initiative calling to reinstate a legal clause that previously stopped young adults being split from their families when they lost their residency permits as a dependent. Niels Paarup-Petersen from the Centre Party talks about the challenges of trying to get the Social Democrats on board with the initiative. In the studio, Richard gives more background on an issue that's affecting many foreigners in Sweden, and we look ahead at what's likely to happen next. READ ALSO: Swedish opposition parties call for new law to stop teen deportations 'People in Sweden are really raising their voices now and it’s very beautiful' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 7 · 18 min
What's in the new immigration laws Sweden is rushing to pass?
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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+ __ In this week's episode we talk about the Swedish government’s pledge to drive through 12 new immigration laws before the September election. With the Winter Olympics underway, we assess Sweden’s chances and answer the big question: what's biathlon? For Membership+ subscribers we explain why the Migration Agency has been tasked with creating a new list of professions to be exempted from work permit salary requirements. We also hear from a disgruntled panelist who’s had to attend one too many Swedish parent-teacher meetings and wonders if there’s any way to fix them. 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: Immigration Sweden to pass twelve new migration laws before September election Sport How can you watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on Swedish TV? Work permits Why does Sweden's government want a new list of jobs exempted from the salary limit? Education Do Swedish parent-teacher meetings have to be quite so unproductive? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 4 · 3 min
Why revoking Swedish residency is 'obviously' illegal
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode the immigration lawyer Tomas Fridh chats with The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange about the government’s plan to revoke permanent residency permits from foreign citizens in Sweden. What are the criticisms of the proposal, who would be affected, and how likely is it that the government will push it through? Fridh explains that the Swedish Bar Association has given five reason that each would constitute grounds to ditch the plan. "I believe that in both Swedish and European law, it is forbidden to have random reasons for laws where the state uses force against individuals," he says. "Where you take rights away from individuals you cannot be discriminatory, and you cannot be random," Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Tomas Fridh. READ ALSO: Lawyer says Sweden's plan to revoke residencies 'illegal on multiple counts' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 31 · 15 min
How important is US trade and will Sweden join the euro?
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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+ __ In this week's episode we talk about how exposed Sweden’s economy is to tariff threats from the US and wider global turbulence. And why has the finance minister reawakened the euro debate? We also look at some of the new words that have made it into the Swedish dictionary and how the English plural s is gaining more acceptance in Swedish. For Membership+ subscribers we examine why Sweden is making it much harder for high school pupils from non-EU countries to come here on exchange programmes. We also dig into an investigation on systematic abuse of Sweden's student visa system and what the country is doing to crack down. 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: Economy How Trump-proof is Sweden's economy? Swedish finance minister willing to investigate joining euro after election Why hasn't Sweden joined the euro and will it ever happen? Swedish language What are the new words in Sweden's language rulebook? Grammar guide: When to use compound words in Swedish Immigration Sweden denying study permits for high-school exchange programs Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 28 · 3 min
'I'm in complete confusion': Indian entrepreneur faces threat of expulsion from Sweden
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode we hear from Abhi Nag Balasubramanya, a former Northvolt worker who successfully launched a microgreens company in Skellefteå whose products have been enthusiastically received locally. But his future in Sweden is in serious doubt after he got a letter from the Migration Agency warning him that he wasn’t eligible for a residency permit. The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up with Balasubramanya recently to hear more about how he ended up in Sweden, why he set up a business here, and how he’s responding to a letter that threatens to bring his stay in Sweden to a premature close. READ ALSO: 'If I don't have a permit to live in Sweden no one will be willing to invest' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 23 · 23 min
Will Sweden backtrack on worker deportations as media pressure mounts?
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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+ __ In this week's episode we talk about what a difference it makes when the Swedish media start reporting on immigration policies that force foreign workers to leave Sweden. We also get into how Sweden has been reacting first to tariff threats and then their withdrawal by US President Donald Trump. For Membership+ subscribers we look at what readers of The Local are telling us about how their food habits have changed since moving to Sweden. Finally we discuss why women in Sweden tend to vote left while men lean more to the right. 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 Is Swedish media opinion on migration crackdown finally shifting? Swedish Liberal party calls for new agency to handle work permits Which new laws affecting foreigners in Sweden will be published this spring? Sweden and the US How Trump-proof is Sweden's economy? Swedish stock market expected to rise after Trump drops tariff threat Food and drink Fika, meatballs and Kalles kaviar: Which Swedish foods habits have you adopted? Politics in Sweden Why do men in Sweden vote for the right and women for the left? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 21 · 3 min
Swedish minister: 'EU needs to step up on defence'
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ __ In this week’s episode Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz speaks with The Local’s publisher James Savage. James caught up with the minister on Thursday the 15th of January, a day after Danish and Greenlandic officials attended a meeting at the White House over the future of the Arctic island that US President Donald Trump said the United States wants to acquire. In the days following this interview Trump announced that the US was planning to impose additional tariffs on eight European countries that sent military personnel to Greenland on Denmark’s request. Sweden is one of the countries affected and the Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson reacted by saying that Europe would not let itself be blackmailed. Jessica Rosencrantz also speaks in the interview about what the EU can do to bolster its own defensive capability. And do Sweden’s plans to tighten citizenship requirements make it harder to compete for highly skilled workers with other EU countries. Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Jessica Rosencrantz. READ ALSO: INTERVIEW: ‘Sweden stands fully behind Denmark and Greenland’ Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 17 · 26 min
Why did Sweden greenlight so few new citizenships in 2025?
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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+ __ In this week's episode we talk about brand new figures from the Migration Agency showing a steep drop in work permit and citizenship approvals in 2025 and we look at what some readers are telling us about why they’re choosing to leave Sweden. We also dig into the many ways the Swedish language lets us talk about wintry weather. For Membership+ subscribers we sink our teeth into the Swedish foods with geographical names that have earned official EU protected status from Scanian spettekaka to the polka pigs of Gränna. Finally we discuss how to choose a school for your child now that the application period is underway. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. The episode also features an excerpt from a conversation with Sweden's migration minister Johan Forssell. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Immigration Number of people granted Swedish citizenship drops 40 percent How Sweden's government ignored warnings when revoking work permit law Will deported workers really be able to return to Sweden after just 19 days? 'I’m not valued': The reasons foreign residents are leaving Sweden Learning Swedish 'Pig cold': How to talk about the winter weather in Swedish Food and drink Calf dance and boiled bread: The Swedish foods with EU protection Schools How to enrol your child in a Swedish school Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 14 · 3 min
'People who have done everything by the book are being kicked out of Sweden'
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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+ _ This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Niels Paarup-Petersen, the Centre Party's immigration spokesperson. Paarup-Petersen is a Danish-born, Malmö-based politician who became a Swedish citizen in 2010 in order to be able to vote in the country he moved to with his Swedish partner. The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up with him recently to get his analysis of what’s likely to happen with Sweden’s many immigration reforms in 2026 and whether immigration will be a big issue for voters in this year’s general election. READ ALSO: 'Let's not kick people out of Sweden who are already contributing' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 9 · 25 min
Will street protests stop Sweden deporting foreign workers?
Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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. __ In this week's episode we talk about growing protests over the deportation from Sweden of foreign workers and whether people taking to the streets is likely to have any impact on government policy. We also look at how Sweden is reacting to the capture of Venezuela’s president in a US military operation as well as US President Donald Trump’s renewed calls for his country to take control of Greenland. For Membership+ subscribers we highlight new laws that will impact our lives in Sweden in 2026, and we examine the state of play for the political parties at the start of election year. Finally we explain why Swedes traditionally wait until 20 days after Christmas before throwing out their Christmas trees. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. The episode also features an excerpts from interviews with the Centre Party's immigration policy spokesperson Niels Paarup-Petersen and Stockholm University politics professor Jan Teorell. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Immigration 'Sweden is my children's country': Health professionals ordered to leave after years of work Deportations spark pushback against Swedish migration reforms 'Let's not kick people out of Sweden who are already contributing' Sweden's government to submit new work permit law to parliament 'in a couple of weeks' Sweden and the US 'We are free': Venezuelans in Sweden split on US attack Sweden in 2026 LISTED: All the new laws coming into force in Sweden at the start of 2026 20th day of Christmas Why Swedish Christmas lasts until January 13th How to dispose of your Christmas tree 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.
January 2 · 40 min
‘I love Sweden but the anti-immigrant rhetoric must stop’
Instead of a news roundup Sweden in Focus this week consists of a conversation with a journalist who has contributed several articles to The Local recently charting the immigrant experience. Faisal Khan ended up in Sweden after life in Afghanistan became "unbearable" for him and his family. It was a country he knew little about but soon came to appreciate. Despite a rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric he's hopeful Sweden can "correct course" and focus on finding solutions to real societal problems without seeking scapegoats. "I love everything about Sweden. I love its bad weather. I love its bad jokes, even though I don't understand most of them. My body doesn't accept the cold weather but I'm still optimistic," he says. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 26, 2025 · 29 min
Sweden in Focus end of year quiz 2025
Join us for an end-of-year quiz as we look back at the stories that shaped Sweden in 2025. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton, Richard Orange and James Savage. The year kicked off with revelations that Sweden's national security advisor had mislaid highly sensitive documents and ended with the country's right-wing leaders meeting in the Prime Minister's home to hatch plans for election year. But how much do our contestants remember? And can you outperform them? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 20, 2025 · 15 min
Why Sweden's Moderates are sending mixed messages on work permit immigration
In this week's episode we talk about Christmas and how to celebrate like a Swede. We also discuss why prominent Moderate Party politicians are arguing amongst themselves about the merits of government policies that are forcing immigrants with jobs to leave the country. For Membership+ subscribers we look at the economic forecast for Sweden in 2026, which will also be a useful barometer to gauge the government’s chances of securing reelection. Finally we explain why a court has called off this year’s controversial wolf hunt and why a prominent commentator is linking anti-wolf sentiment to right-wing extremism. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. The episode also features an excerpt from an interview with Moderate Party youth leader Douglas Thor. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Christmas How to decorate your Christmas tree like a Swede Skål! A guide to glögg, Sweden's favourite Christmas drink When do you start saying Merry Christmas in Sweden? Politics Leader of Swedish Moderate youth wing criticises work permit reforms What will happen in Swedish politics during election year 2026? Economy How Sweden’s 2026 budget could affect your finances How strong will the Swedish krona be in 2026? What a strong Swedish krona means for foreigners in Sweden Wolves Planned wolf cull blocked by Swedish court Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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.
Dec 17, 2025 · 3 min
Sweden in 2026: Will immigration be a big election issue?
Voters in Sweden will decide next year whether to keep the current coalition government bolstered by the far-right Sweden Democrats or switch to a more left-leaning alternative. The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with Jonas Hinnfors, a political science professor at Lund University, to get his predictions for the year ahead. Can the right-wing parties claw back the percentage points they need to surpass a potential Social Democrat-led coalition in the polls? What are the topics likely to dominate the debate in 2026? Will immigration take centre stage again? Which leaders risk getting the boot, and will all current parties meet the four-percent parliamentary threshold? Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview. READ ALSO: GUIDE: Everything you need to know about Sweden's political parties Swedish pro-government parties 'agreed on a plan' for second term in power Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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.
Dec 13, 2025 · 29 min
How can Sweden get better at integrating immigrants?
In this week's episode we talk about why immigrants in Sweden are often lumped into categories and what needs to be done to forge real connections, and we look at what Indian readers are telling us about their relationship with Sweden. Also, after the United States released a national security strategy that sent shockwaves through Europe, we examine what commentators are saying about the potential ramifications here in Sweden. For Membership+ subscribers we discuss what it takes to get a gymnasium, or upper secondary level, qualification in Swedish. And with Princess Sofia in the news over meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, we talk through her rise to prominence from Paradise Hotel contest to Duchess of Värmland. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features an interview with our contributor Faisal Khan. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Immigration LONG READ: In Sweden, there are only good, bad, ugly and evil immigrants UN slams Sweden's 'discriminatory' push to tighten citizenship rules 'The cold changes people's brains': Do Indians in Sweden prefer life back home? Language How to decide which Swedish language certificate is best for you Royals ARCHIVE: How a reality TV star got a Swedish fairytale Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sign 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.
Dec 10, 2025 · 3 min
'I hate to be stereotypical but the light in northern Sweden is amazing'
In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, we hear from the Umeå-based Canadian writer. Mandy Pipher about what it's been like moving to Umeå in northern Sweden. Mandy wrote recently in an article for The Local about the ignorance and prejudices people from Norrland often face about a region that makes up more than half of Sweden’s surface area. We wanted to catch up with her to find out more about why she moved to Umeå and what kind of reactions she has had when telling people about her move to northern Sweden. She also talks about the complicated history underpinning many southerners' preconceived notions about a part of the country she describes as 'magical' in many respects. Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Mandy Pipher. READ ALSO: Why northern Swedes feel ignored and underappreciated Five reasons why Sweden is not the Canada of Europe Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts Sweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers. Sign up to Membership+ 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.