Sweden in Focus

The Local
  • 4.7 (35)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 Paul O’Mahony chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. 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.

  1. 6H AGO

    What does Sweden's deportation climbdown mean for immigrants?

    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+ __ This week we talk about the government backtracking on some of its most heavily criticised immigration reforms and what it means for immigrants in Sweden. We also discuss this year’s winner of Melodifestivalen, Felicia, an artist with a colourful back story who’s set to represent Sweden at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. For Membership+ subscribers we look at why April could be a good month for your personal finances in Sweden. Finally we’ll bring you the latest on what we know about which professions are going to be exempted from increased work permit salary requirements. 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: Immigration'They came to their senses': Readers react to Sweden's deportation u-turnSweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turnMusicSweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments MoneyWhy April could be a good month for your Swedish finances Swedish citizenshipREVEALED: Migration Agency readies slimmed Swedish work visa shortlist Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  2. EPISODE 320 TRAILER

    Stricter immigration 'will make Sweden less attractive' for game workers

    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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 editor Emma Löfgren speaks with Johanna Nylander, acting head of the Swedish Games Industry Association (Dataspelsbranschen). Games are one of Sweden’s biggest exports and a lot of skilled foreign workers have made their way to Sweden to work in the industry. But with the government pushing through citizenship reforms without transitional rules, does Sweden risk becoming a less attractive destination for the international workers the games industry needs? READ ALSO: Swedish games boss warns 'retroactive' citizenship reforms 'not good for industry' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min

  3. MAR 7

    How is Sweden reacting to US and Israeli attacks on 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+ __  This week we talk about how Sweden’s government – and Iranians in Sweden – have been reacting to ongoing US and Israeli attacks in Iran. We also discuss increasing rumblings of discontent on the Swedish right over strict immigration policies that some feel have gone too far. For Membership+ subscribers we ask how much your personality changes when you switch to Swedish.  Finally we examine if it’s possible for citizenship applicants to prove their Swedish civics knowledge before a new law comes into force in June. 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: Middle East crisis Politics in Sweden: Sweden needs to get off the fence on Iran – but how?What we know so far about plans to stop forcing 'track changers' to leave SwedenImmigrationLots has happened since we recorded the podcast. Here are the latest updates:  Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turnSweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rulesAnd here are the interviews with Douglas Thor and Fredrik Kopsch:  Moderate youth leader confident of solution for Sweden's teen deportationsDoes Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?Swedish languageOPINION: Your personality changes when you speak another language, but that’s not always a bad thing Swedish citizenshipThey contribute to Swedish society: Now the government is changing the rules Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min

  4. MAR 4

    'Sweden is setting itself up for a losing battle' on skilled immigration

    This week’s episode features an interview about the lack of transitional rules in Sweden’s proposed new citizenship law. The Local’s deputy editor Becky Waterton speaks to Patrick Gallen, a spokesperson for the grassroots organisation Fair Transition.  Why is the group so adamant that Sweden should not move the goalposts for citizenship applicants who applied long before the Swedish government decided to revamp the citizenship law,? And why does he believe that the lack of transition rules risks making Sweden less competitive. READ ALSO: Can this campaign group change the Swedish government's mind on citizenship?OPINION: 'Sweden's parliament should add transitional rules to the citizenship law'Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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.

    48 min

  5. FEB 28

    Why a legal watchdog slammed Sweden's citizenship plan

    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+ This week we talk about whether the recent Swedish media pushback against teen deportations is affecting how the government is approaching immigration in the last few months before the election. We also discuss heavy criticism of Sweden’s planned new citizenship law by a legal oversight body. For Membership+ subscribers we explain how Swedish birthday traditions work. Finally we ask what the government’s plan to restrict benefits for immigrants means for newcomers to the country. 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: Teen deportationsThree years after The Local, Sweden wakes up to teen deportationsSwedish citizenshipOPINION: 'Sweden's parliament should add transitional rules to the citizenship law'Sweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rulesSwedish traditionsHow to survive a children's birthday party in SwedenImmigrationWhat does Sweden's plan to restrict benefits for newcomers mean for work permit holders? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min

  6. FEB 24

    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 podcastsSweden 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 workersSwedish 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.

    3 min

  7. FEB 21

    Deportation order for 8-month-old baby shocks Sweden

    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+ 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: ImmigrationOutrage after Swedish Migration Agency orders baby to be deportedOver 270 foreigners apply for 350,000 kronor grant to leave SwedenWorking in SwedenHow you can get your Swedish employer to pay for your gym membershipWork permitsEverything 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.

    16 min

  8. EPISODE 314 TRAILER

    Parents lash out at Sweden's 'absurd' teen deportations

    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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 graduateWhat 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.

    3 min
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4.7
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

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 Paul O’Mahony chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s James Savage, Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. 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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Local
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    252
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Local Europe AB
  • Show Website
    Sweden in Focus

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