Sweden in Focus

This week we’re going to turn our attention to the year ahead with some soothsaying on what to expect in politics and the economy in 2025 and we’ll also hear some of The Local’s readers' predictions for the year ahead.  

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:

• How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025

• Politics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs off heavy criticism of nuclear financing plans
• What's in the Social Democrats' plan to eradicate Sweden's 'vulnerable areas'?

• What's the outlook for the Swedish labour market in 2025?

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In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus we look back at the Swedish year in news. 

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the stories that shaped Sweden over the past year. Join us for an end-of-year quiz where we dive into the headlines and events that shaped the news agenda. 

What do you remember about the extreme weather events that kickstarted 2024? Do you recall who won Olympic gold medals for Sweden? And can you believe that it was only this year that Sweden finally joined Nato? 

Host Paul O’Mahony in Stockholm is joined this week from Malmö by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.

Good luck! And here you can read more about each of the questions: 

• January 
• February 
• March 
• April 
• May 
• June 
• July 
• August  
• September 
• October 
• November 
• December 

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In this week's episode: the best things about Christmas in Sweden, interview with the Greens' migration spokesperson on citizenship slowdown plans. 

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:

• FACT CHECK: Did a Swedish company really tell staff not to say Merry Christmas?
• What you need to know about travelling in Sweden for Christmas 2024
• Sweden's beloved TV series that changes every year

• Sweden Democrat leader: 'People who are born here should be able to lose their citizenship'
• Lawyers and migration experts slam Swedish government's citizenship slowdown bid
• What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws?

• How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2025
• 'A hodgepodge of bad measures': Swedish employers' group slams work permit changes

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Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. 

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

• Sweden puts Syrian asylum decisions on hold
• Where did the most new Swedish citizens come from in 2024?

• Ten Swedish books to read this year
• EXTERNAL LINK: New reading lists for Swedish preschools and schools (PDF)

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In this week's episode: Sweden’s Lucia tradition, who was Princess Birgitta, what we know about the government’s plan to stall citizenship grants.

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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:

• What you need to know about celebrating Lucia in Sweden

• IN PICS: Who was Princess Birgitta, King Carl XVI's outspoken elder sister?

• Swedish government strikes deal to slow down Sweden citizenship awards
• OPINION: Foreigners in Sweden deserve fair and transparent citizenship rules
• Swedish citizenship slowdown 'very sketchy', says top Social Democrat

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In this week's episode: Swedish Advent traditions, ‘snitch law’ exemptions and a tricky Swedish language quiz. 

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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:

• Former parliamentary speaker Birgitta Dahl dies

• Swedish word of the day: advent
• Why do the Nordic countries light candles on each Sunday of Advent?

• Sweden's government agrees to exempt schools, healthcare and social work from 'snitch law'

• The seven stages of learning Swedish every foreigner goes through

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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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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In this week's episode: why Sweden's deputy PM wants to restrict immigrants’ voting rights, how to get your body and mind ready for the winter, why a Swedish ad featuring the English c-word went viral last week.

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:

• Sweden's deputy PM proposes cutting non-citizens' voting rights
• Sweden Democrats call for ban on new citizenships until tougher rules are in place

• How to prepare for a snowstorm in Sweden 
• How a year on my allotment taught me to appreciate the Swedish seasons 

• Stockholm Metro ad blasted over 'shocking' use of English c-word 

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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: will immigrants become cultural canon fodder? How Swedish politicians have reacted to Donald Trump’s victory, what's happening with the Tesla strike?

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and Nordic editor Richard Orange. 

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

• Is the ‘arm’s length’ principle for the arts in Sweden at risk of amputation?
• LISTEN: Sweden's cultural canon plan and what it means for foreigners

• Politics in Sweden: How Trump's victory let Sweden's PM show off his gravitas 

• Swedish union boss: 'Culture clash' behind strikes against Tesla 
• Swedish union slams Tesla for bringing in foreign strike breakers 

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In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. 

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

• Americans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils
• 'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'
• Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election win

• Sweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade 
• IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? 

• Swedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes 

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: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.

Host James Savage is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. 

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

Nordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migration

New Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demands

India's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandal

RANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025

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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• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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

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