Sweden in Focus

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra, we speak to John Stauffer from Civil Rights Defenders to see what Sweden can do to improve the rule of law after a new report showed that the country is regressing. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by John Stauffer, legal director for the human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders. They talk about a new rule of law report (PDF) released by the Civil Liberties Union of Europe which shows Sweden regressing in multiple areas.We had the same guest on the podcast shortly after the 2022 election to talk about the Tidö agreement, a policy programme signed by the government and the Sweden Democrats that he said undermined the rule of law and democracy.Since then the government has been rolling out some of the controversial policies laid out in the agreement. This month for example will see police given the right to implement stop-and-search zones in vulnerable areas, allowing them to search people and vehicles without concrete suspicion that a crime has been committed.In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra we take a closer look at the rule of law report, why Sweden is regressing and what it can do to get back on track. ARCHIVE: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals'  

Sign up now for Membership+ 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. ___This week: Child residency permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law, and 50 years since Abba's Waterloo win. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. As mentioned in the episode we will be recording the podcast in front of a live audience on April 24th at the offices of Stockholm Business Region as part of the Talent Talks event being held there that day.You can sign up here if you'd like to attend. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Residency permitsBoy who went viral raising 5 million for charity gets Swedish residence permitMusicHow ABBA paved the way for Swedish pop 50 years agoPoliticsARCHIVE: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals'

This week: Child residency permit row, Sweden regressing on rule of law, 50 years since Abba's Waterloo win, government plans to retain foreign students and researchers, Sweden Democrats target suburban lingo, Herr Talman returns, Folklistan makes waves, and what are the plans to improve Sweden's image abroad?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. As mentioned in the episode we will be recording the podcast in front of a live audience on April 24th at the offices of Stockholm Business Region as part of the Talent Talks event being held there that day.You can sign up here if you'd like to attend. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Residency permitsBoy who went viral raising 5 million for charity gets Swedish residence permitSweden to ramp up drive to retain foreign students and researchers MusicHow ABBA paved the way for Swedish pop 50 years agoPoliticsIN BRIEF: What's Sweden's newest party and what does it want?OPINION: Why I registered as a candidate for Sweden's new Folklistan party ARCHIVE: 'Civil rights groups in Sweden can fight this government's repressive proposals'New 'Team Sweden' group to boost Sweden's global image 

In this week's Sweden in Focus Extra, we ask if you're expected to tip in Sweden when you go out for a drink or a meal. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by podcast regulars James Savage and Richard Orange.This chat was precipitated by a social media post from James that got people talking in Sweden, and which he subsequently elaborated on further in an article about whether tipping culture is changing in Sweden. "The Local’s guide to tipping in Sweden is clear", he writes: "Tip for good service if you want to, but don’t feel the pressure: where servers in the US, for instance, rely on tips to live, waiters in Sweden have collectively bargained salaries with long vacations and generous benefits. But there are signs that this is changing, and the change is being accelerated by card machines."

Sign up now for Membership+ 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+ and how to get access to all episodes in our help centre.__In this week's episode: Snow chaos on Sweden's roads, April Fools' traditions, government divided on new gender law, and will there be a Swedish pope?Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Weather'Are they on Easter holiday?': Swedish government under fire after snow chaosSnow chaos on Swedish E4 road 'worst since 1995'April Fools' DayApril Fools' is back: here are nine of this year's best jokes in SwedenReligion Swedish bishop named as possible next popeGender Law EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s legal gender bill has split the government 

In this week's episode: Snow chaos on Sweden's roads, April Fools' traditions, Swedish Pope, government divided on new gender law, Christian Democrat outcast gets new party started, and a huge green steel investment in northern Sweden. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's James Savage and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Weather'Are they on Easter holiday?': Swedish government under fire after snow chaosSnow chaos on Swedish E4 road 'worst since 1995'April Fools' DayApril Fools' is back: here are nine of this year's best jokes in SwedenReligion Swedish bishop named as possible next popeGender Law EXPLAINED: How Sweden’s legal gender bill has split the government EU Election Ousted Christian Democrat MEP starts new party ClimateANALYSIS: Is the climate law toothless and therefore useless?Sweden's SSAB to build €4.5bn green steel plant in Luleå

Host Paul O’Mahony is joined by podcast regulars Emma Löfgren and Becky Waterton.They discuss:Why did Malmö get the nod ahead of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Örnsköldsvik?What stereotypes do Swedes have about people from Malmö (and vice versa!)?And what are best things to see and do for visitors to the city? READ ALSO: Five budget-friendly bars for a night out in MalmöFive great restaurants in Malmö for a fancy dinner dateWhich nationalities have bought the most tickets for Eurovision in Malmö?

Sign up now for Membership+ 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: Easter opening hours, news quiz, World Happiness Report. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:EasterWitches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in SwedenSeven must-have dishes for a very Swedish Easter celebrationQuality of lifeHow happy are people in Sweden compared to the rest of the world?

In this week's episode: Easter opening hours, news quiz, World Happiness Report, why Sweden’s climate watchdog has slammed the government’s policies, more support for adopting the euro and will Taylor Swift boost Sweden's economy? Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:EasterWitches and herring: Seven traditions that reveal it's Easter in SwedenSeven must-have dishes for a very Swedish Easter celebrationQuality of lifeHow happy are people in Sweden compared to the rest of the world?EnvironmentSweden's climate watchdog slams government for 'misleading' net zero claimsMoneyHow many Swedes now favour the euro?Should Sweden abandon a weak krona for the euro?EconomyNEW FORECAST: What's next for the Swedish economy in 2024?