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Sweden in Focus

Sweden in Focus

By: The Local
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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.

The Local Europe AB
Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Sweden's immigration overhaul 'erodes trust in government institutions'
    Apr 8 2026
    Our sponsor this week is Sveriges Ingenjörer (Engineers of Sweden)

    Sign up here for their live Q&A sessions on working in Sweden

    • April 16th session
    • May 12th session
    • June 16th session

    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

    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+

    __

    How are constant changes to Sweden’s immigration rules, most recently the citizenship rules, affecting tech workers?

    What does Sweden need to do to stay attractive to international talent?

    And how is the AI shift affecting workers at Spotify?

    In this week’s episode, The Local Sweden’s editor Emma Löfgren speaks with Péter Tóth, who is a data engineer and chairperson of Spotify Workers Unionen.

    READ ALSO:

    • Swedish union leaders warn 'haphazard' citizenship reforms could harm international reputation

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

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

    Show more Show less
    4 mins
  • How serious is Sweden's democratic decline?
    Apr 3 2026
    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

    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 ask whether the campaign for transitional rules for citizenship applicants has a chance.

    And is Sweden really guilty of democratic backsliding, as a new report claims?

    Also, why is snus is causing ructions between Sweden and France?

    And anyone who has experienced the past few days will know, April in Sweden is notorious for its unreliable weather. So – for Membership+ subscribers – we put our panelists through their paces with a quiz about Swedish weather folklore.

    Host James Savage is joined this week by regular panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.

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

    Citizenship
    • Swedish union leaders warn 'haphazard' citizenship reforms could harm international reputation
    • How can you show proof of Swedish and civics knowledge for citizenship?
    Politics
    • Five ways in which Sweden's government is eroding the rule of law
    Swedish traditions
    • A ban on being Swedish? Minister rails against France's new snus ban


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

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

    Show more Show less
    30 mins
  • 'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'
    Mar 31 2026
    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

    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+

    __

    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?


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

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

    Show more Show less
    5 mins
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