131 episodes

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.



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Sweden in Focus The Local

    • News
    • 4.9 • 103 Ratings

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.

    Anger over prisoner swap with Iran, and how strawberries fuel Sweden's gangs

    Anger over prisoner swap with Iran, and how strawberries fuel Sweden's gangs

    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.



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    • 19 min
    Sweden's most offensive words and a bad night for the far right

    Sweden's most offensive words and a bad night for the far right

    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.



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    • 25 min
    Three parties risk European elimination as Sweden goes to the polls

    Three parties risk European elimination as Sweden goes to the polls

    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.



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    • 13 min
    Is Iran using Swedish gangs in its proxy war with Israel?

    Is Iran using Swedish gangs in its proxy war with Israel?

    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.



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    • 20 min
    How can Sweden get more immigrants in leadership roles?

    How can Sweden get more immigrants in leadership roles?

    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.



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    • 23 min
    INTERVIEW - Sweden's labour migration clampdown will harm green transition: Green Party leader

    INTERVIEW - Sweden's labour migration clampdown will harm green transition: Green Party leader

    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.

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
103 Ratings

103 Ratings

ClassicGuy10 ,

Fantastic Listening

Great podcast of journalists, who report about: culture, economy, finance, language, jobs, and politics of Sweden. They discuss an insight to non Swedish speaker(s) to know and understand all about Sweden.

Denis D00M ,

Great 👍

Very informative and kinda fun.

Guzlynn ,

Efficient and insightful

I find quite efficient to listen to the podcast and gain insights on the current events of Sweden, especially when I don’t have time to read news thoroughly.

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