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Sweden in Focus

The Local Sweden's weekly news podcast


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  • 327. How serious is Sweden's democratic decline?

    39:30||Ep. 327
    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 lawSwedish traditionsA ban on being Swedish? Minister rails against France's new snus banRubbish weatherSwedish word of the day: bakslag

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  • 326. 'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'

    04:38||Ep. 326
    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?
  • 326. 'We worry that migration rules are making Sweden more unattractive'

    19:15||Ep. 326
    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. 
  • 325. How to celebrate Easter in Sweden, and unions press government on immigration clampdown

    22:43||Ep. 325
    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+ 
  • 325. How to celebrate Easter in Sweden, and unions reject immigration clampdown

    36:37||Ep. 325
    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
  • 324. 'Politicians knew teens would be kicked out – the surprise was the reaction'

    43:40||Ep. 324
    In this week’s episode we 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.READ ALSO:Does Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?
  • 'Politicians knew teens would be kicked out – the surprise was the reaction'

    03:32|
    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.