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 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?

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?

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.

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 commentsMoneyWhy April could be a good month for your Swedish financesSwedish citizenshipREVEALED: Migration Agency readies slimmed Swedish work visa shortlist

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 commentsMoneyWhy April could be a good month for your Swedish financesSwedish citizenshipREVEALED: Migration Agency readies slimmed Swedish work visa shortlist

In this week’s episode The Local’s editor Emma Löfgren speaks with Johanna Nylander, acting head of the Swedish Games Industry Association. 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?

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'

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 thingSwedish citizenshipThey contribute to Swedish society: Now the government is changing the rules