Advertise on podcast: Sweden in Focus

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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 look at a new survey in which skilled workers say what they like most and least about Sweden. We ask which parts of some of Sweden’s big cities are best for foreigners. And we look at whether the next government could unite parties of the left and right. And in exclusive material for Membership+ subscribers we look at whether your flights home could be disrupted this summer as fuel costs soar. Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Richard Orange.  Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: Working in SwedenWork-life balance and family chief draw for high-skilled workers in SwedenReader insights'Safe, clean and peaceful': The Malmö districts foreigners favour the most'An international hub': These are the best districts for foreigners in Gothenburg'Open-minded and cosmopolitan': The Stockholm districts foreigners like the mostPoliticsHow would you like The Local to cover the Swedish election?TravelFlight cancelled or delayed? Here are your rights 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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+ __ Many people might think that someone working on a PhD funded by the Swedish state at a Swedish university would get an easy ride from migration authorities. That hasn’t been the case for Fahima Ayub Khan, a linguistics and cognitive science researcher studying for a PhD at the University of Gothenburg. She was denied a permit renewal and issued a deportation order just as she entered the final stretch of her doctoral studies. In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, she tells The Local's Mandy Pipher about how her battle with Swedish bureaucracy has affected her life. READ ALSO: 'We are not bonded labourers': University researcher fights Swedish deportation order Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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 how new curbs on permanent residency will hit immigrants. As the Wallenberg family rescues a groundbreaking green steel project in northern Sweden, we examine whether the Swedish green transition has reached a fork in the road. We also have a look at what goodies the government is showering over the electorate in the last budget before the election. And in exclusive material for Membership+ subscribers we discuss Swedes’ favourite word – and we ask if our panelists can come up with a better one. Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Emma Löfgren.  Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: ImmigrationEXPLAINED: Who is affected by Sweden's law phasing out permanent residency PoliticsKEY POINTS: Sweden's spring budget bill in less than a minute BusinessSwedish steel startup Stegra to receive 1.4 billion euro investment Swedish languageIs lagom really the best word in the Swedish language? Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre. __ Applicants for work permits in Sweden will soon have to earn 90 percent of the median wage, or just over 33,000 kronor a month, to qualify. But some key professions will be exempted from the requirement. No decision has yet been made on exactly which jobs will be exempted, but The Local recently obtained lists of the professions provided to the government by the Migration Agency for consideration. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, a lobby group representing Swedish businesses, has long sought to maintain Sweden's liberal work permit rules. In this week’s episode, The Local's Richard Orange catches up with Amelie Berg, the organisation's expert on immigration and labour mobility issues, to get her take on the latest updates.  READ ALSO: Swedish businesses call for work permit exemption list 'as soon as possible' Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we ask whether the new deal between Ulf Kristersson and Jimmie Åkesson is a capitulation or a masterstroke by the prime minister. And what a Sweden Democrat migration minister might mean. We look at what it's really like inside one of Sweden’s deportation centres – and why being articulate might lead to you getting forced onto a deportation flight earlier than you’d like. And we examine how high-skilled workers are reacting to the newest migration laws. In exclusive material for Membership+ subscribers we discuss whether the Swedish culture of shielding kids from competition is progressive or constraining. Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Richard Orange. __ 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 sessionMay 12th sessionJune 16th session__Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode: PoliticsSweden Democrats to be in charge of immigration in a future right-wing government Detained in SwedenTwo hours inside Sweden's controversial detention hub for to-be-deported migrantsSwedish police asked to speed up deportation of 'intelligent and articulate' software engineerImmigrationA ban on being Swedish? Minister rails against France's new snus ban Swedish traditions'We can go elsewhere': Skilled workers question future in Sweden over citizenship reforms Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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.

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 sessionMay 12th sessionJune 16th sessionGet Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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.

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 sessionMay 12th sessionJune 16th session__Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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: CitizenshipSwedish union leaders warn 'haphazard' citizenship reforms could harm international reputationHow can you show proof of Swedish and civics knowledge for citizenship?PoliticsFive ways in which Sweden's government is eroding the rule of law Swedish traditionsA 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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.

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: CitizenshipSwedish migration minister doesn't rule out meeting citizenship campaignersSocial Democrats join call to add transitional rules to citizenship billEasterWitches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in SwedenImmigration Sweden could start deporting foreigners over 'poor conduct' this summerMigration Agency Swedish Migration Agency works to cut backlog as waiting time passes 1,000 days__ Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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+ __ 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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 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: CitizenshipMembers Q&A on Sweden's tightening of citizenship rules'Security reasons' behind lack of transitional rules for Swedish citizenshipPoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Hugging Åkesson close could be the kiss of death for LiberalsWhat's in the Liberals' 15-point deal with the Sweden Democrats?EducationSweden's language requirement to be enforced from June 6th despite test delayWhat you need to know about applying to university in SwedenSwedish traditionsWhy 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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+ __ 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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 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: Immigration'They came to their senses': Readers react to Sweden's deportation u-turnSweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turnMusicSweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments MoneyWhy April could be a good month for your Swedish finances Swedish citizenshipREVEALED: 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden 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+ __ 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.

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign 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: Middle East crisis 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 SwedenImmigrationLots has happened since we recorded the podcast. Here are the latest updates:  Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turnSweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rulesAnd here are the interviews with Douglas Thor and Fredrik Kopsch:  Moderate youth leader confident of solution for Sweden's teen deportationsDoes Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?Swedish languageOPINION: Your personality changes when you speak another language, but that’s not always a bad thing Swedish citizenshipThey contribute to Swedish society: Now the government is changing the rules Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.