Sweden in Focus

In 2013 Jamil Walli, a journalist, filmmaker and painter, moved to Sweden from Damascus as an exchange student. 

Two years later, tens of thousands of his compatriots fled Syria to seek shelter in the country he has since come to call home. 

As a journalist, he documented the stories of those fleeing persecution as part of a project for The Local where he interviewed asylum seekers in Arabic about their new lives in Sweden and how they were adapting.

This makes him very well placed to talk about his experience of what became known as the refugee crisis of 2015 when an unprecedented 163,000 asylum seekers made their way to Sweden.

After gaining citizenship in 2019 he went on to pursue studies in filmmaking, graduating in 2022 with a film that tackles xenophobia and what it means to be Swedish. 

In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, Walli explains what brought him to Sweden, his own relationship to the country, and how attitudes to immigration and immigrants have changed in the past decade. 

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In this week’s episode we talk about the surprise resignation of the Liberal Party leader Johan Pehrson.

Ten years on from the arrival of record numbers of refugees we also look at how Sweden reacted to the 2015 crisis how how its approach to asylum immigration has changed since then.

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:

• Swedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson resigns

• 2015 ARCHIVE: Refugee centres packed as cold winter calls
• 2015 ARCHIVE: Sweden split over move to tighten asylum rules

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In this week's episode we talk about the possibility of there being a Swedish pope and the state of Catholicism in Sweden today. We also dive into the history of Sweden’s Valborg celebrations and why bonfires will be lit across Sweden on the last day of the month.

For Membership+ subscribers we jump forward a day to the first of May and what to expect on the public holiday that is Labour Day.

We discuss what to make of a recent burst of activity from the Social Democrats, the party most closely associated with May Day in Sweden.

Finally, with the deadline for filing taxes coming up next week, we give some last minute tips before checking out what readers of The Local are telling us are the most annoying things about Swedish bureaucracy.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• What exactly is Swedish Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?

• Could a Swedish cardinal become the next pope?
• 'It would be fun to have a Swedish pope but I think it's pretty unlikely'

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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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In this week's episode we talk about about a rush to buy coffee amid rocketing prices and we hear from an expert on Sweden's coffee culture, Henrik Scander.

We also examine the political fallout after an official inquiry recommended stricter regulation of Sweden’s much-debated free schools.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at efforts to stop motorists running over frogs and we discuss differences between how animal noises are described in English and Swedish.

We also dig into calls by the opposition Social Democrats to extend the current three-month time limit given to work permit holders to land a new job when they find themselves out of work. 

And finally we have the latest on Sweden’s moves to make it impossible for asylum seekers to get permanent residency.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast shortlisted for award

• Coffee prices hit record high in Sweden
• What's the history behind Sweden's regional coffee varieties?
• Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika Calendar

• How far-reaching are the government's proposals to reform free schools?
• Why free school profit curbs could matter for Sweden’s next election

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+

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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In this week's episode we talk about the government’s push to eject more immigrants for bad behaviour, and we have an interview with migration minister Johan Forssell on attracting and retaining highly skilled workers.

We also hear from Américo Fernández, an SEB economist and personal finance expert, on how foreigners in Sweden can navigate difficult times in the Swedish economy.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. 

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• What's in Sweden's new 'poor conduct' proposal for residence permits?
• Sweden set to make 'poor conduct' ground for revoking residence permits
• OPINION: Swedish media must get better at covering immigrant perspectives
• 'A trust breaker': Foreign tech workers campaign against new Swedish citizenship law
• INTERVIEW: 'We are working intensively to attract more high-skilled workers to Sweden'

• What's on the horizon for the Swedish economy and how will that affect internationals?
• Why the pay rise negotiated by Sweden's industrial unions matters

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.

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

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In this week's episode we have an interview with an American tech worker who has launched an initiative urging the government to reconsider its plans to tighten citizenship requirements. 

Our panelists also discuss why Swedish politicians in Brussels have fought tooth and nail to retain the right for 15-year-old Swedes to drive extremely slowly in car-like contraptions on Swedish roads.

And why are the far-right Sweden Democrats floating the idea of a future partnership with the once all-powerful Social Democrats.

Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

• ‘A trust breaker’: Foreign tech workers campaign against Swedish citizenship law
• OPINION: Swedish media must get better at covering immigrant perspectives
• Want to make Sweden more attractive, Johan Forssell? Listen to those already here

• Why do Swedish teenagers drive small and excruciatingly slow cars?

• Why are the Sweden Democrats making overtures to the Social Democrats?

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+

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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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In this week's episode our panelists discuss two stories affecting work permit holders after parliament voted through a new law targeting former asylum seekers for expulsion from Sweden and Northvolt filed for bankruptcy.

We also ask if Sweden should be doing more to involve immigrants in the construction of a cultural canon that could be used for citizenship tests.

For Membership+ subscribers we find out what Americans are telling us about why they’re moving to Sweden and finally we delve into why a proposed new surveillance law has prompted messaging services WhatsApp and Signal to consider leaving Sweden.

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:

• 'We didn't do anything wrong': Foreign workers blindsided by Sweden's 'spårbyte' repeal
• Swedish Migration Agency warns of fast-tracked abolition of 'spårbyte' without transitional rules
• Sweden to abolish residency permit 'track changes' from April 1st

• What will happen to work permit holders at Northvolt?
• KEY FACTS: What we know so far about the Northvolt bankruptcy

• What books and art can we expect to be in Sweden's future cultural canon?
• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?

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+

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In this week's episode we discuss: Northvolt’s bankruptcy, the criminal investigation into Sweden’s former national security adviser Henrik Landerholm, the latest on the defence situation for Sweden in relation to Russia and the United States, and why some commentators think Sweden’s needs its own nuclear deterrent.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at what readers are telling us about what it’s like becoming a Swedish citizen, and finally we shine a light on the work being carried out by a taskforce on talent attraction and why the government must do more to include the kind of people it’s hoping to appeal to.

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:

• KEY FACTS: What we know so far about the Northvolt bankruptcy
• Sweden's troubled Northvolt files for bankruptcy
• 'Too early to say' if Sweden will give foreign Northvolt staff special help

• 'We are shocked': Americans in Sweden rally in support of Ukraine

• Sweden's former national security adviser charged in classified documents scandal

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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+

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Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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In this week’s episode we discuss the latest Swedish reaction to dramatic changes in the European security landscape. What does Sweden’s defence industry look like, and does the country have enough troops to send peacekeepers to Ukraine? 

We also have commentary from Swedish members of the European Parliament about the harsh rhetoric on immigration we’ve seen in Sweden in recent years.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at proposals for a new grading system for Swedish schools to replace a method that critics say is no longer fit for purpose, and finally we dig into reactions to the Migration Agency’s revamped website. 

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:

• How Sweden's defence industry is ramping up production
• Swedish PM 'willing to send peacekeepers to Ukraine'
• Swedish police open 'sabotage' probe over Gotland water supply damage

• Swedish migration minister in multiculturalism row with Sweden Democrat leader
• Is the government changing its rhetoric on immigration?

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+

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Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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