Sweden in Focus

Celebrate Midsummer like a Swede, EU election analysis, Sweden's most offensive words. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:MidsummerThe Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve2024 European ElectionsWho are the winners and losers of Sweden's EU election? Five things we learned from Sweden's surprising EU election results Sweden Democrat MP steps down over racist chant OPINION: Sweden Democrats have only themselves to blame for election setback LanguageNew study reveals most offensive words in Swedish 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. 

Celebrate Midsummer like a Swede, EU election analysis, Sweden's most offensive words, the stress of waiting for permits, dramatic new figures on work permits, Swedes' favourite summer listening. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:MidsummerThe Local's ultimate guide to Midsummer's Eve2024 European ElectionsWho are the winners and losers of Sweden's EU election? Five things we learned from Sweden's surprising EU election results Sweden Democrat MP steps down over racist chant OPINION: Sweden Democrats have only themselves to blame for election setback LanguageNew study reveals most offensive words in Swedish Residency permitsWhy applying for permanent residency doesn't feel all that permanent Work permitsSwedish work permits rejected over salary threshold increase by almost 2,000 percent 

Striking nurses, European election preview, Sweden Democrats' anti-Arab trolling, how can Sweden get more inclusive? 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:Healthcare strikeNurses in Sweden launch first strike in 16 yearsEuropean electionsSix ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscape Discrimination Tell us: What can Sweden do to make the country more inclusive? __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.  

Striking nurses, European election preview, Sweden Democrats' anti-Arab trolling, how can Sweden get more inclusive? Embassy closure in Pakistan, International English School ordered to pay back millions, and why did Abba just get knighted?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:Healthcare strikeNurses in Sweden launch first strike in 16 yearsEuropean electionsSix ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscape Discrimination Tell us: What can Sweden do to make the country more inclusive? Residency permitsPakistanis call on Sweden to reopen embassy EducationSchool chain IES ordered to repay 7.7 million Swedish kronor in false grants 

Sweden goes to the polls this weekend with several parties terrified of the abyss that lurks beneath the four-percent threshold. Why is the Centre Party threatening to make life difficult for the Liberals? Why was a member of the Sweden Democrats communications team posting pro-Putin social posts? Can the Moderates reclaim their place as Sweden’s second biggest parties? And are the Social Democrats going to 'do something big' as their election posters suggest?Host Paul O'Mahony is joined for this week's Sweden in Focus Extra by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. DON'T MISS: Six ways the EU election might upend Sweden's political landscapeJämkade uddatalsmetoden: How seats are awarded in EU elections in Sweden

Iran accused of deploying Swedish gangs, Ebba Busch sparks anger over Islam remarks, how Sweden can make immigrants feel more welcome on National Day?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:IranSwedish security chiefs: Iran recruits gangs to hit Israeli targets in SwedenSweden calls Iranian diplomat to meeting over gang crime allegations European electionsWho are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? National Day (and a nod to Midsummer)Why does Sweden celebrate National Day on June 6th? The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer 

Iran accused of deploying Swedish gangs, Ebba Busch sparks anger over Islam remarks, celebrating National Day, the weak krona's winners and losers why some Indian parents are worried that Swedish citizenship applications could leave their children stateless. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:IranSwedish security chiefs: Iran recruits gangs to hit Israeli targets in SwedenSweden calls Iranian diplomat to meeting over gang crime allegations European electionsWho are Sweden's top candidates in the European election? National Day (and a nod to Midsummer)Why does Sweden celebrate National Day on June 6th? The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer MoneyWhat can foreigners in Sweden do about the weak krona? Foreign tourists drawn to Sweden by weak krona (and that's both good and bad) Indians in SwedenIndian parents fear Swedish citizenship application will leave children stateless EXPLAINED: How to renounce Indian citizenship in Sweden 

Sweden was criticised in 2022 by a UN delegation for not collecting equality data to help fight discrimination and racism. While countries like the US and UK routinely gather these statistics and use them to shape policy, in Sweden they remain controversial and only the Green and Left parties favour their introduction. This week we speak to Greg Fernando, the Canadian founder of New to Sweden, an organisation that promotes diversity in the workplace. He's very much in favour of equality data and believes Sweden's failure to compile figures on ethnicity has left the country decades behind in the battle against racism.