Sweden in Focus

In this week's episode we talk about Christmas and how to celebrate like a Swede.We also discuss why prominent Moderate Party politicians are arguing amongst themselves about the merits of government policies that are forcing immigrants with jobs to leave the country.For Membership+ subscribers we look at the economic forecast for Sweden in 2026, which will also be a useful barometer to gauge the government’s chances of securing reelection. Finally we explain why a court has called off this year’s controversial wolf hunt and why a prominent commentator is linking anti-wolf sentiment to right-wing extremism. Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and Becky Waterton. The episode also features an excerpt from an interview with Moderate Party youth leader Douglas Thor. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ChristmasHow to decorate your Christmas tree like a SwedeSkål! A guide to glögg, Sweden's favourite Christmas drinkWhen do you start saying Merry Christmas in Sweden?PoliticsLeader of Swedish Moderate youth wing criticises work permit reformsWhat will happen in Swedish politics during election year 2026?EconomyHow Sweden’s 2026 budget could affect your financesHow strong will the Swedish krona be in 2026?What a strong Swedish krona means for foreigners in SwedenWolvesPlanned wolf cull blocked by Swedish court

Voters in Sweden will decide next year whether to keep the current coalition government bolstered by the far-right Sweden Democrats or switch to a more left-leaning alternative.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with Jonas Hinnfors, a political science professor at Lund University, to get his predictions for the year ahead.  Can the right-wing parties claw back the percentage points they need to surpass a potential Social Democrat-led coalition in the polls? What are the topics likely to dominate the debate in 2026? Will immigration take centre stage again? Which leaders risk getting the boot, and will all current parties meet the four-percent parliamentary threshold?Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview.READ ALSO:GUIDE: Everything you need to know about Sweden's political partiesSwedish pro-government parties 'agreed on a plan' for second term in powerGet 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+ 

Voters in Sweden will decide next year whether to keep the current coalition government bolstered by the far-right Sweden Democrats or switch to a more left-leaning alternative.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with Jonas Hinnfors, a political science professor at Lund University, to get his predictions for the year ahead.  Can the right-wing parties claw back the percentage points they need to surpass a potential Social Democrat-led coalition in the polls? What are the topics likely to dominate the debate in 2026? Will immigration take centre stage again? Which leaders risk getting the boot, and will all current parties meet the four-percent parliamentary threshold?Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview.READ ALSO:GUIDE: Everything you need to know about Sweden's political partiesSwedish pro-government parties 'agreed on a plan' for second term in power

In this week's episode we talk about why immigrants in Sweden are often lumped into categories and what needs to be done to forge real connections, and we look at what Indian readers are telling us about their relationship with Sweden.Also, after the United States released a national security strategy that sent shockwaves through Europe, we examine what commentators are saying about the potential ramifications here in Sweden.For Membership+ subscribers we discuss what it takes to get a gymnasium, or upper secondary level, qualification in Swedish.And with Princess Sofia in the news over meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, we talk through her rise to prominence from Paradise Hotel contest to Duchess of Värmland.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features an interview with our contributor Faisal Khan. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationLONG READ: In Sweden, there are only good, bad, ugly and evil immigrantsUN slams Sweden's 'discriminatory' push to tighten citizenship rules'The cold changes people's brains': Do Indians in Sweden prefer life back home?LanguageHow to decide which Swedish language certificate is best for youRoyalsARCHIVE: How a reality TV star got a Swedish fairytale 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. 

In this week's episode we talk about why immigrants in Sweden are often lumped into categories and what needs to be done to forge real connections, and we look at what Indian readers are telling us about their relationship with Sweden.Also, after the United States released a national security strategy that sent shockwaves through Europe, we examine what commentators are saying about the potential ramifications here in Sweden.For Membership+ subscribers we discuss what it takes to get a gymnasium, or upper secondary level, qualification in Swedish.And with Princess Sofia in the news over meetings with Jeffrey Epstein, we talk through her rise to prominence from Paradise Hotel contest to Duchess of Värmland.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Richard Orange and James Savage. The episode also features an interview with our contributor Faisal Khan. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationLONG READ: In Sweden, there are only good, bad, ugly and evil immigrantsUN slams Sweden's 'discriminatory' push to tighten citizenship rules'The cold changes people's brains': Do Indians in Sweden prefer life back home?LanguageHow to decide which Swedish language certificate is best for youRoyalsARCHIVE: How a reality TV star got a Swedish fairytale 

In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, we hear from the Umeå-based Canadian writer. Mandy Pipher about what it's been like moving to Umeå in northern Sweden. Mandy wrote recently in an article for The Local about the ignorance and prejudices people from Norrland often face about a region that makes up more than half of Sweden’s surface area. We wanted to catch up with her to find out more about why she moved to Umeå and what kind of reactions she has had when telling people about her move to northern Sweden. She also talks about the complicated history underpinning many southerners' preconceived notions about a part of the country she describes as 'magical' in many respects. Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Mandy Pipher. READ ALSO:Why northern Swedes feel ignored and underappreciatedFive reasons why Sweden is not the Canada of Europe

In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, we hear from the Umeå-based Canadian writer. Mandy Pipher about what it's been like moving to Umeå in northern Sweden. Mandy wrote recently in an article for The Local about the ignorance and prejudices people from Norrland often face about a region that makes up more than half of Sweden’s surface area. We wanted to catch up with her to find out more about why she moved to Umeå and what kind of reactions she has had when telling people about her move to northern Sweden. She also talks about the complicated history underpinning many southerners' preconceived notions about a part of the country she describes as 'magical' in many respects. Tune in to this week's episode for the full interview with Mandy Pipher. READ ALSO:Why northern Swedes feel ignored and underappreciatedFive reasons why Sweden is not the Canada of EuropeGet 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 talk about why northern Sweden doesn’t get the recognition it deserves from southerners, and we prepare for the annual Lucia festivities by getting to know some of the most common songs that are sung to mark the day.For membership+ subscribers we find out why Swedish publishers have reported Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to the police.Finally we examine how new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2026.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:Northern SwedenWhy northern Swedes feel ignored and underappreciatedLuciaThings you should NEVER say to a Swede on Lucia dayThe historical dark side of Sweden's Lucia traditionCrimeSwedish media body reports Mark Zuckerberg to police over scam adsThe link we mention for reporting scam ads isn't live yet. We'll add it here once it's up. Immigration  How new Swedish migration rules could affect foreign residents in 2026Politics in SwedenWhy does the Swedish right love to bash SVT?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+