Sweden in Focus

In this special episode of Sweden in Focus James Savage travels to the Almedalen political week on Gotland, where he asks the chief economist of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Sven-Olov Daunfeldt, whether things might get better for work permit holders any time soon.Also in this episode: Russia is waging a hybrid war against European countries including Sweden. But what does that mean, and what does a church near Västerås Airport have to do with it? James interviews expert Patrik Oksanen, fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences and senior advisor at the Fores think tank to find out.Related articles:Sweden cuts state funding for Russian church after intelligence warningsSweden's migration agency celebrates cutting waiting times for work permitsIn Detail: How Sweden plans to further toughen its work permit system

British actor Kenny Solomons explains how he built a happy life for himself in Sweden but became so integrated that he completely missed the deadline for Brexit paperwork.In this week’s Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local’s Nordic correspondent Richard Orange chats to Kenny Solomons about his colourful life in Sweden and why he now has to leave after his late application for post-Brexit residency was rejected.“It’s now 19 months since I sent in my appeal to the Migration Court, and the pressure of not knowing, every day, and the pressure of having to say ‘no’ to career opportunities outside of Europe, and the pressure of not knowing with 100 percent certainty that I can live and work in Sweden in the long run was just affecting my health, and my mental health as well,” he says.“I hit the wall, was suffering with anxiety, and was incredibly unhappy. So I made the decision.”READ ALSO:British actor married to Swedish pop star gives up post-Brexit fight to stay in Sweden 

Strawberries linked to organised crime, US designates Swedish neo-Nazis as terrorists, opinion divided over prisoner swap with Iran, work permit salary requirement rises again, why property can't buy you a residency permit, and why the US now has access to Swedish military bases. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:CrimeIllegal Swedish strawberry sales raise billions of kronor for organised crimeTerrorismUS designates Nordic far-right group as terrorists Sweden and IranSwedish EU diplomat freed from Iran says he's 'in seventh heaven' 'Why not me?' Imprisoned academic Djalali delivers stinging rebuke over prisoner swap Work permitsSweden raises work permit salary threshold by over a thousand kronor ASK US: What do you want to know about Sweden's work permit salary threshold? Residency permitsFACT CHECK: Can you get a residency permit if you buy property in Sweden? MilitaryWhat does the new Sweden-US defence pact mean for you? 

What's the significance of the maypole? Where does the frog dance come from? Is getting drunk obligatory? Jonas Engman from the Nordic Museum in Stockholm gives us the lowdown on Sweden's Midsummer traditions. In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra, host Paul O'Mahony chats to Nordic Museum curator Jonas Engman about the history of Swedish Midsummer. It's the most Swedish celebration of them all but how can you celebrate if you're new to the country? Our guest provides expert tips so everyone can find a place to do the frog dance dance around the maypole. DON'T MISS: The seven bizarre traditions that make up Swedish Midsummer Why is Midsummer's Eve celebrated in Sweden? 

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.