Sweden in Focus

Sweden 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+ 

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How are tougher immigration laws affecting Swedish companies and their ability to recruit the people they need to be able to compete internationally in a fast-changing labour market? 

How important are immigration rules in attracting foreign workers? 

And what do Swedish trade unions think about the lack of transitional rules in new citizenship legislation? 

In this week’s episode, The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren speaks with Therese Svanström, chairperson of TCO, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees.

READ ALSO:

• Is Swedish media opinion on migration crackdown finally shifting?

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This week we talk about why some Swedish trade unions are pushing back against Sweden’s stricter immigration laws.

Also, with Easter around the corner we look at how the holiday is celebrated in Sweden.

For Membership+ subscribers we discuss the government’s plan to eject foreigners from Sweden for ‘bristande vandel’ or poor conduct.

Finally, we examine the 1,000-day backlog at the Swedish Migration Agency, and ask what – if anything – is being done to shorten it.

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:

• Swedish migration minister doesn't rule out meeting citizenship campaigners
• Social Democrats join call to add transitional rules to citizenship bill

• Witches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in Sweden

• Sweden could start deporting foreigners over 'poor conduct' this summer

• Swedish Migration Agency works to cut backlog as waiting time passes 1,000 days

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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+

• 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.

Sweden 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+ 

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In this week’s episode we’ll hear a conversation The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange had recently with Fredrik Kopsch, chief economist at the right-wing think tank Timbro. 

The interview was carried out before Sweden’s government held a press conference in which they u-turned on policies leading to the deportation of well-integrated young adults and foreign workers. 

This is a subject close to Kopsch’s heart. He released a book last year called Utvisad, or deported, which tackles these questions and he spoke in depth with Richard about what he thinks Sweden should be doing differently on immigration and integration, and how the government’s so-called paradigm shift on immigration has left him disillusioned with right-wing politics 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.

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+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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This week we talk about the latest on Sweden’s new citizenship law as we enter a crunch period for possible amendments before it’s enacted.

Also, with six months left to the election we examine the state of play after a dramatic week in Swedish politics.

For Membership+ subscribers we’ take a closer look at the Tisus Swedish language test which some prospective citizens hope will be their gateway to completing the new language requirement. And we talk more generally about how to get into a Swedish university after applications opened earlier this week.

Finally, we get our teeth into Sweden’s Waffle Day tradition ahead of the annual celebration of the humble våffla next week.

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:

• Members Q&A on Sweden's tightening of citizenship rules
• 'Security reasons' behind lack of transitional rules for Swedish citizenship

• Politics in Sweden: Hugging Åkesson close could be the kiss of death for Liberals
• What's in the Liberals' 15-point deal with the Sweden Democrats?

• Sweden's language requirement to be enforced from June 6th despite test delay
• What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden

• Why do Swedes always eat waffles on March 25th?

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweden 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+ 

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The smallest party in Sweden's three-party coalition government faces a battle for survival, with opinion polls consistently showing the Liberals way below the four-percent support required to enter the Riksdag. 

It was against this backdrop that party leader Simona Mohamsson held a joint press conference on Friday with Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrat party on which the coalition is so for support. 

At a meeting that ended with a hug in front of press photographers, Mohamsson revealed that her party was abandoning its long-standing opposition to going into government with the far right. 

The Local's James Savage is our guest this week to analyse what it means for Swedish politics now that the Liberals have broken a key pledge to their voters.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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+

• For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+
• For new members: Get Membership+ 

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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:

• 'They came to their senses': Readers react to Sweden's deportation u-turn
• Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turn

• Sweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments

• Why April could be a good month for your Swedish finances

• REVEALED: 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.

Sweden 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+ 

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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.

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+

• 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:

• 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 Sweden

Lots has happened since we recorded the podcast. Here are the latest updates: 

• Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turn
• Sweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rules

And here are the interviews with Douglas Thor and Fredrik Kopsch: 

• Moderate youth leader confident of solution for Sweden's teen deportations
• Does Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?

• OPINION: Your personality changes when you speak another language, but that’s not always a bad thing

• They contribute to Swedish society: Now the government is changing the rules

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

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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'

Sweden 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.

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+

• 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:

• Three years after The Local, Sweden wakes up to teen deportations

• OPINION: 'Sweden's parliament should add transitional rules to the citizenship law'
• Sweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rules

• How to survive a children's birthday party in Sweden

• What 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.