Latest episode
132. How will lower interest rates affect your life in Sweden, and how likely is a 4-day week?
15:10In this week's episode: Security fears and parties in Malmö for Eurovision, how lower interest rates affect people in Sweden, and Sweden Democrats get caught running a social media troll factory. --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. --Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:EurovisionSweden's Eurovision brings kitsch in the shadow of Gaza How Eurovision visitors can make the most of MalmöMoneyThree ways Sweden's slashed interest rate will boost your finances Which Swedish banks have the lowest mortgage rates?PoliticsREVEALED: Sweden Democrats' secret social media 'troll factory' PropertyFor sale: New record as flood of apartments hits the market in Sweden How do you beat the stress of the Swedish property bidding frenzy?Sabotage allegationsSwedish rail derailments could be linked to 'Russian-backed sabotage'
More episodes
View all episodes
132. How will lower interest rates affect your life in Sweden, and how likely is a 4-day week?
28:35In this week's episode: Partying and security fears in Malmö for Eurovision, how lower interest rates affect people in Sweden, Sweden Democrats get caught running a social media troll factory, talk of a 4-day working week, why so many homes are coming up for sale, alleged Russian sabotage of rail routes and why the Malmbanan railway is so crucial for Sweden.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Richard Orange and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:EurovisionIN PICTURES: Thousands march in Malmö to protest Israel's Eurovision entrySweden's Eurovision brings kitsch in the shadow of Gaza How Eurovision visitors can make the most of MalmöMoneyThree ways Sweden's slashed interest rate will boost your finances Which Swedish banks have the lowest mortgage rates?PoliticsREVEALED: Sweden Democrats' secret social media 'troll factory' PropertyFor sale: New record as flood of apartments hits the market in Sweden How do you beat the stress of the Swedish property bidding frenzy?Sabotage allegationsSwedish rail derailments could be linked to 'Russian-backed sabotage'131. 'Gardening in Sweden is for ordinary people, not the aristocracy'
21:38How does gardening in Sweden differ from elsewhere? Where can you find native plants for your garden? What kind of fruit tress survive in snow? In this episode, gardening expert John Taylor, the host of SVT's popular show Trädgårdstider, chats with Becky Waterton and answers questions from readers of The Local. He also gives his views on how best to integrate in Sweden.How to grow your own fruits and vegetables in Sweden130. Why do we get a day off for Ascension and who's the new joint leader of Sweden's Green Party?
12:57In this week's episode: Ascension Day holiday, Nazis storm political meeting in Stockholm, preview of interview with gardening expert John Taylor, and who is the Green Party's new joint leader? --Sign up now for Membership+ 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. --Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Lögren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Ascension DayWhy is Ascension Day a public holiday in Sweden?Political violence EXPLAINED: What we know about the attack on a Swedish anti-fascist meeting Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attackPoliticsDreadlocked bureaucrat: Who's the Swedish Green Party's new leader?130. Why do we get a day off for Ascension and how have criminals infiltrated the Swedish police?
21:52In this week's episode: Ascension Day holiday, Nazis storm political meeting in Stockholm, preview of interview with gardening expert John Taylor, and who is the Green Party's new joint leader? For Membership+ subscribers: Malmö braces for controversial Eurovision Song Contest, organised criminals infiltrate Swedish police force, what are the best summer festivals in Sweden? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Lögren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Ascension DayWhy is Ascension Day a public holiday in Sweden?Political violence EXPLAINED: What we know about the attack on a Swedish anti-fascist meeting Over a thousand people join protest against Stockholm attackPoliticsDreadlocked bureaucrat: Who's the Swedish Green Party's new leader? EurovisionMalmö to bring in reinforcements from Norway and Denmark ahead of Eurovision Eight unmissable free events in Malmö during Eurovision Police leaksSwedish police leaks scandal: How gang criminals got hold of sensitive information FestivalsEight festivals you shouldn't miss in Sweden this summer129. Why businesses want Sweden to ease wage requirements for work permits
20:50Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren to discuss the how far the government has got with its plan to further increase the salary requirement for work permit holders from 80% to 100% of the median wage.The episode also features a chat Richard Orange had recently with Karin Johansson, deputy director general of the Swedish confederation of enterprise. Half of those blocked by Sweden's work permit salary threshold will be graduates128. How can Sweden attract and retain skilled foreigners?
29:42Sign up now for Membership+ 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. ___What are the main challenges for Swedish employers when recruiting internationally and how can they harness the experience of the many skilled internationals already living in Sweden?In this special live recording of the podcast, host Paul O’Mahony is joined on stage by Maria Fogelström Kylberg, CEO of Stockholms Akademiska Forum, Amanda Herzog, founder of Intertalents in Sweden, and Laureline Vallée, an environmental engineer from France who recently secured her first job in Sweden.The podcast was part of Talent Talks, an afternoon of discussions at the Stockholm Business Region offices on how to attract and retain foreign workers in Sweden.