Sweden in Focus

In this week’s episode we go deeper on the phenomenon of teen deportations as our Nordic editor Richard Orange catches up with two immigration experts from the professional services network EY. Andreas Bråthe, a partner and head of the global immigration practice at EY, and senior manager Elin Harrysson talk about why the 18-year-old children of permanent residency applicants risk being forced to leave Sweden and how parents can avoid falling into the trap. EY's experts give advice on different routes that parents can take to ensure their children can stay in Sweden.They also offer advice to Sweden’s political leaders on how to fix a problem that’s affecting many of the highly skilled workers that the government claims the country so badly needs. 

In this week's episode we talk about the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents.We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely?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:MushroomsHow to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your lifeCricketCricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players?KirunaHistoric Swedish church arrives at new homeGet 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 the latest from the trial of Sweden’s former national security chief, Henrik Landerholm, over the negligent handling of classified documents.We also discuss the language used to describe people who weren’t born in Sweden. Are we immigrants, foreigners, expats or something else entirely?For membership+ subscribers we examine what lawyers and the people directly affected are saying about Sweden’s spate of teen deportations.Finally, we look at whether the government is likely to back away from plans to further hike the salary requirement for work permit holders after the employment minister said this week that he’d like to “pull the handbrake” on the whole enterprise.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:MushroomsHow to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your lifeCricketCricket in Sweden: how can an immigrant-powered sport attract new players?KirunaHistoric Swedish church arrives at new homeImmigrationEXPLAINED: How to avoid Sweden's teen deportation trap'Sweden is less appealing': How teen deportations deter foreign talentWork permitsSwedish labour minister wants to 'pull handbrake' on work permit salary hikeCould this be the start of a liberal shift on work permits in Sweden?Q&A: Why Sweden's labour minister is fighting new work permit lawWhat we know about Sweden's delayed plans for tougher work permit rules

In this week’s episode we look at the past, present and future of cricket in Sweden.With interest soaring in Sweden in recent years, The Local’s James Savage attended an event recently introducing Swedish parliamentarians to the sport. To get a feel for the state of the game in Sweden, James spoke to the event’s organizer, Nagendra Siddoutam from Anchor Sports, and Mattias Karlsson, a Moderate Party politician. Host Paul O’Mahony is also joined by The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange, who previously wrote a series of articles detailing a scandal that led to the national federation being stripped of its funding.Earlier this year the Swedish Sports Federation ended the cricket organisation’s suspension and enthusiasts are now once again focused on bringing the sport to as many people as possible in Sweden. READ ALSO:LONG READ: How Cricket in Sweden went from triumph to near disasterSwedish Cricket Federation escapes suspension after two yearsCricket is booming in Sweden, thanks to migrants

In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker.We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden.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:NorthvoltKEY POINTS: What do we know about the rescue of Swedish battery company Northvolt?Lyten agrees to buy bankrupt Swedish battery company NorthvoltImmigration Will Sweden’s government act to stop ‘teen deportations’?Why is Sweden's 2021 migration law leading to 'teen deportations'?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.

In this week's episode we talk about the resurrection of Northvolt and what new ownership will mean for the bankrupt battery maker.We also ask if the government is likely to do anything to stop the trend of young adults being deported while their working parents are allowed to stay in Sweden.For Membership+ subscribers we look into research showing that highly educated immigrants are more likely to leave Sweden.Finally, we offer some concrete strategies for building a professional network in Sweden.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:NorthvoltKEY POINTS: What do we know about the rescue of Swedish battery company Northvolt?Lyten agrees to buy bankrupt Swedish battery company NorthvoltImmigration Will Sweden’s government act to stop ‘teen deportations’?Why is Sweden's 2021 migration law leading to 'teen deportations'?Working in SwedenWhy are highly educated foreigners more likely to leave Sweden?Moving to SwedenWant to build your Swedish network? Here's where to start

In this week's episode our Nordic editor Richard Orange interviews Samaneh Khaef, a researcher and migration studies expert at Stockholm university.Richard wrote an article this week looking at studies showing that immigrants in Sweden with high levels of educational attainment are more likely to leave the country.In their conversation, Samaneh Khaef speaks about the research on onward migration and her own experiences as an Iranian in Sweden. Tune in to find out more about her view on why many university-educated immigrants leave Sweden. READ ALSO:Why are highly educated foreigners more likely to leave Sweden?Why are there no exceptions for work permit holders in Sweden's citizenship reforms?'It was completely online': How foreigners in Sweden got their jobs

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish traditions Eight phrases to get back in the groove like a Swede after the summer holidaysWeather MAP: The places in northern Sweden that set new heat records in JulyTourists seeking 'coolcations' in Norway and Sweden hit by heatwaves insteadPoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Swedish right divided over relations with IsraelChristian Democrat leader slammed for claiming Israel 'doing the world a favour'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.

In this week's episode we talk about Sweden’s return to day-to-day life as the summer holidays wind down. In politics we discuss divisions on the right on how to deal with Israel, and we dig into reactions to news that the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson uses Chat GPT to test out new ideas.For Membership+ subscribers, we look at what a new economic forecast is telling us about prospects for growth and employment, and finally we offer a taste of some of the most passive aggressive phrases you’re likely to hear in Sweden.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelist Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish traditions Eight phrases to get back in the groove like a Swede after the summer holidaysWeather MAP: The places in northern Sweden that set new heat records in JulyTourists seeking 'coolcations' in Norway and Sweden hit by heatwaves insteadPoliticsPolitics in Sweden: Swedish right divided over relations with IsraelChristian Democrat leader slammed for claiming Israel 'doing the world a favour'EconomyIN DATA: Where in Sweden is unemployment rising the most?Should foreigners in southern Sweden look for jobs in Copenhagen?'It was completely online': How foreigners in Sweden got their jobs