Sweden in Focus

In this week's episode: Stockholm governor fired over recruitment nepotism, how cinnamon became Swedes' spice of choice, and why a begging ban feels like a throwback. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. The episode also features an interview with food historian Daniel Serra.  Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Anna Kinberg BatraHow a Swedish nepotism scandal highlights poor recruitment practicesFoodWhen did Swedes get so crazy about cinnamon? What does the Swedish food agency think we should be eating more or less of? Politics in SwedenSweden's government enters trickier territory with begging ban 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 of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers: what is Sweden's language law, and is it a good move for Sweden to introduce language and knowledge tests for permanent residency and citizenship? Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden as well as The Local's James Savage and Emma Löfgren.Sweden is pushing ahead with plans to require applicants for permanent residency and citizenship to pass language and knowledge tests. But what does the country's Language Council make of the idea? And do our panelists know their Astrid Lindgren from their Selma Lagerlöf? READ ALSO:What could the Swedish language test for permanent residency look like? What do we know about Sweden's planned tests for permanent residency? What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws? 

In this week's episode: how Northvolt's crisis is hitting foreign workers and how recruiters can get better at gauging Swedish language skills. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Helene Robson from Engineers of Sweden and Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:NorthvoltNorthvolt to slash almost a quarter of its workforceOPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workersFive things you need to do right away if you're getting laid off in SwedenLanguageIs it ok to speak English? How to shine at your Swedish job interviewGet 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: how Northvolt's crisis is hitting foreign workers, how recruiters can get better at gauging Swedish language skills, Iran accused of hacker attack during Quran burnings, and where should you visit in Swedish this autumn? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Emma Löfgren and James Savage. The episode also features interviews with Helene Robson from Engineers of Sweden and Pernilla Johansson from the Language Council of Sweden. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:NorthvoltNorthvolt to slash almost a quarter of its workforceOPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workersFive things you need to do right away if you're getting laid off in SwedenLanguageIs it ok to speak English? How to shine at your Swedish job interviewCrimeSweden says Iran behind hacker attack that urged revenge for Quran burning Discover SwedenThe best places to visit in Sweden each season 

In this week's episode: how the new budget affects foreigners, favourite Swedish expressions, and a Social Democrat lottery scandal. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:MoneyHow will Sweden's new budget affect foreign residents?LanguageSeven Swedish expressions which will make you sound like a localSwedish word of the day: tjafsPoliticsWhy a lottery scandal could change the funding balance in Swedish politics 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: how the new budget affects foreigners, favourite Swedish expressions, Social Democrat lottery scandal. For Membership+ subscribers: children to start primary school a year earlier, recruiters on why Indians are leaving Sweden, top Sweden Democrat faces hate speech charges. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:MoneyHow will Sweden's new budget affect foreign residents?LanguageSeven Swedish expressions which will make you sound like a localSwedish word of the day: tjafsPoliticsWhy a lottery scandal could change the funding balance in Swedish politics SchoolsWhat's in Sweden's plans to extend compulsory schooling? Indians in SwedenInterview: Indians leaving Sweden only 'a temporary fluctuation' PoliticsSweden Democrat justice committee chair steps down over hate crime suspicion 

In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers: the government's priorities for the year ahead, the status of the 'paradigm shift on migration', and four tricky pledges the coalition hasn't yet delivered on.  Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.After Sweden's parliament reopened last week after the summer break, the panelists discuss what Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said would be the government’s priorities for the year ahead. What are the Swedish government's key priorities for the year ahead? Two years into the government's term, how is its much-vaunted 'paradigm shift' on migration progressing? What's the current status of Sweden's planned migration laws? And finally we examine some potential stumbling blocks for the right-wing coalition as it enters the second half of its four-year term, from a proposed begging ban to plans to deport people for flawed conduct - 'bristande vandel '.