Why Johan Forssell wants to change Sweden's 'weird' immigration system
In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s chances of winning the Eurovision Song Contest for a record-breaking eighth time with KAJ's song Bara Bada Bastu.On a related note, we immerse ourselves in sauna culture and the Swedish language as it’s spoken in Finland.We discuss new comments from Sweden’s migration minister, Johan Forssell, on the three-month deadline for job seekers on work permits and how he’s taking inspiration from Finland when it comes to attracting highly skilled workers to Sweden.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:EurovisionWhy Sweden's bizarre sauna hit could actually win EurovisionWhat do the lyrics of Sweden's Eurovision entry Bara Bada Bastu actually mean?LanguageKiva! Seven unique Finland Swedish words the world needs to knowSwedish traditions'Bara bada bastu': The ultimate guide to Swedish sauna etiquetteImmigrationSwedish Migration Minister: 'No formal decision' made on future work permit salary threshold'Enormous potential': How Sweden's migration minister wants to attract international talentOPINION: Want to make Sweden more attractive, Johan Forssell? Listen to those already hereOPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workersGet 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.
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27:29
How Sweden tightened immigration after the 2015 refugee crisis
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:PoliticsSwedish education minister and Liberal leader Johan Pehrson resignsImmigration2015 ARCHIVE: Refugee centres packed as cold winter calls2015 ARCHIVE: Sweden split over move to tighten asylum rulesGet 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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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24:53
Why Sweden celebrates spring with bonfires and songs
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:Swedish traditionsWhat exactly is Swedish Valborg, and where are the best places to celebrate it?ReligionCould a Swedish cardinal become the next pope?'It would be fun to have a Swedish pope but I think it's pretty unlikely'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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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17:37
All about Eves: Why Sweden celebrates holidays a day early
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:EasterWitches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in SwedenWhy do Swedes celebrate holidays a day early?Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika CalendarMoneyWhat do we know about Sweden's 2025 spring budget?Sweden was on the road to economic recovery – then Trump happenedGet 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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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15:31
What the fika! How Swedes are reacting to sky-high coffee prices
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:Podcast awards The Local's Sweden in Focus podcast shortlisted for awardCost of living Coffee prices hit record high in SwedenWhat's the history behind Sweden's regional coffee varieties?Sign up for The Local's Swedish Fika CalendarSchools How far-reaching are the government's proposals to reform free schools?Why free school profit curbs could matter for Sweden’s next electionGet 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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.
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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.
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