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Sweden in Focus

Sweden in Focus

By: The Local
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Summary

Sweden in Focus is The Local’s weekly podcast where we discuss the big news and talking points in Sweden as well as explore and explain the issues that impact life in the country. We also answer your essential questions and look ahead at what’s coming up.

In each episode presenter James Savage chats about the most important news and must-know information with The Local Sweden’s Emma Löfgren, Richard Orange and Mandy Pipher. They are frequently joined by other expert commentators.

Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Local Europe AB Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why 1,800 lawyers warn rule of law is under threat in Sweden

    Why 1,800 lawyers warn rule of law is under threat in Sweden
    May 14 2026

    This week we discuss the talk about whether the rule of law is threatened in Sweden, as many lawyers are now arguing.

    We also ask why things got heated in the Riksdag this week.

    Why are some museums saying they’re being forced out of Stockholm?

    And we finish up with a tricky quiz on Swedish society.

    Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Mandy Pipher.

    Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:

    Politics & law
    • More than 1,800 lawyers warn rule of law being dismantled in Sweden
    Politics
    • Sweden Democrat MP accused of threatening behaviour in parliament
    Immigration
    • QUIZ: Can you pass The Local's mock Swedish citizenship test?

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    This week’s episode is sponsored by SULF, the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers.

    SULF was instrumental recently in securing residence permit exemptions for academics and is consistently working hard to be as accessible as possible for English speakers in Sweden.

    So if you are a PhD student or university teacher in Sweden you’ll find SULF a great place to meet like-minded people who are fighting hard for academic freedom and the rights of researchers here.

    You can find out more on the English-language section of the SULF website.

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    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

    Sign 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.

    Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • 'All applications in Sweden's citizenship queue will be assessed according to the new rules'

    'All applications in Sweden's citizenship queue will be assessed according to the new rules'
    May 12 2026

    Sweden is introducing a stricter new citizenship law from June 6th. But there will be no transitional provisions for the 100,000 people waiting in the citizenship queue.

    That’s unless opposition politicians manage to force lawmakers to vote again on transitional rules after the previous vote was marred by cheating accusations at the end of last month, as The Local was first to report.

    Last week our reporter Mandy Pipher caught up with Åsa Holmes, the head of the Swedish Migration Agency’s citizenship unit in Gothenburg to find out how the agency is planning to assess cases after the June changes come into force. And will applicants be able to get a refund now that Sweden has moved the goal posts?

    READ ALSO:

    • How will the Swedish Migration Agency handle citizenship cases after June 6th?
    Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts

    Sweden 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+

    Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

    Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins
  • Week of chaos in Swedish politics after citizenship vote scandal

    Week of chaos in Swedish politics after citizenship vote scandal
    May 8 2026
    This week we discuss the aftershock from last week’s parliamentary vote on stricter citizenship rules.We’ve got an interview with Åsa Holmes from the Migration Agency on how the new rules will be applied — and what it means for people already in the system.We also look at the new civics test for citizenship.For Membership+ subscribers, we look at the TISUS exam — which now counts towards the language requirement for citizenship.And finally we look a why – if you notice a Swedish person staring at you and then looking away – they’re not necessarily being rude.Host Richard Orange is joined this week by panelists Becky Waterton and Mandy Pipher. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenship'Total deadlock': No end in sight to Sweden's parliamentary pairing chaosNo decision made about transitional rules at committee meetingHow will the Swedish Migration Agency handle citizenship cases after June 6th?Sweden's first citizenship test to be held on August 15thHow likely is a revote on transitional rules for Swedish citizenship?Swedish habitsWhy that Swede glaring at you on the street might be trying to be polite__Our sponsor this week is Sveriges Ingenjörer (Engineers of Sweden) Sign up here for their live Q&A sessions on working in SwedenMay 12th sessionJune 16th session__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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
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