In this week's episode we talk about why Sweden celebrates on the eve of holidays rather than the day itself, and we look at what you need to know about Sweden’s new spring budget.

For Membership+ subscribers we give you background on the proposed new leader of the Centre Party and what her nomination means for Sweden’s complicated political arithmetic.

And finally we’ll examine efforts underway by a couple of Swedish municipalities to attract American academics who might be eager to leave the United States amid funding cuts and worries about academic freedom.

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:

• Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden
• Why do Swedes celebrate holidays a day early?
• Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika Calendar

• What do we know about Sweden's 2025 spring budget?
• Sweden was on the road to economic recovery – then Trump happened

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