Sweden in Focus

<p>This week's Sweden in Focus Extra podcast features an interview with Simon Montgomery, a British-American father facing expulsion from Sweden despite wanting to stay to take care of his one-year-old son. </p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>In this week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Mandy Pipher catches up with a dad who has been fighting for the past year to be able to stay in Sweden with his baby son, despite a deportation order from the Swedish Migration Agency.</p><p>Although he's no longer together with his child's German mother, Simon Montgomery was determined to stay in Sweden to be fully present in his son't upbringing.</p><p>But he was left speechless by a migration court ruling that visa-free travel meant he could continue parenting from the UK and would not be granted leave to remain in Sweden. </p><p>Tune in to this week's podcast for the full story.</p><p><strong>READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261029/hes-the-reason-im-here-british-dad-fights-to-stay-in-sweden-with-baby-son?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'He's the reason I'm here': Dad fights to stay in Sweden with baby son</a></strong></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Why are the Social Democrats acting like bit players? Why have a mother-to-be and an active father been told to leave Sweden? Are immigration laws scaring off foreign workers? And what do you need to know about All Saints' Day in Sweden?</p><p>There was a time when getting married to a Swede was an easy way to stay in Sweden. But these days it's a bit more complicated than that, host <strong>James Savage</strong> explains, citing the example of Brenda Ramström who recently had to fly to Brazil or risk a re-entry ban despite being 21 weeks pregnant. </p><p>We also saw a case this week about a British man who has been denied permission to stay despite being the father of a one-year-old child who lives in Sweden. </p><p>What's the logic behind these decisions?</p><p>To answer this and other questions, James is joined this week by panelists <strong>Mandy Pipher </strong>and<strong> Emma Löfgren. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>. </p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2> Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261029/swedish-parliamentary-speaker-announces-next-steps-in-government-deadlock?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish parliamentary speaker picks Centre Party leader as next PM candidate</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261029/new-poll-shows-swedens-moderate-party-just-behind-social-democrats?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">New poll shows Sweden's Moderate Party just behind Social Democrats</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261027/swedish-finance-minister-prepares-caretaker-budget-stripped-of-campaign-promises?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish finance minister prepares caretaker budget stripped of campaign promises</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Immigration</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261019/i-want-to-be-with-my-husband-pregnant-woman-forced-to-leave-sweden?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'I want to be with my husband': Pregnant woman forced to leave Sweden</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261028/swedish-business-sector-urges-next-government-to-overhaul-global-talent-strategy?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish business sector urges next government to overhaul global talent strategy</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Swedish traditions</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20141030/halloween-vs-all-saints-day-how-to-celebrate-in-sweden?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Halloween vs All Saints' Day: How to celebrate in Sweden</a></strong></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week's Sweden in Focus Extra podcast features an interview with Matilda Molander, head of the green and liberal Fores think tank.</p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>Sweden's Centre Party emerged from the 2026 election as a potential kingmaker and leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist has expressed a preference for the Social Democrats' Magdalena Andersson as Sweden's next prime minister.</p><p>But the party has also ruled out collaborating in a government that contains the Left Party, a sticking point that has left coalition-building negotiations at an impasse. </p><p><strong>Matilda Molander</strong> from the Fores think tank recently floated the possibility of the Centre Party edging its way back into the right-wing fold it abandoned over concessions to the Sweden Democrats. </p><p>The Local's <strong>Richard Orange</strong> caught up with her recently to find out more about the Centre Party's pivotal role and what's likely to happen next in Swedish politics. </p><p>Tune in to this week's Sweden in Focus Extra for the full analysis. </p><p><strong>READ ALSO: <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261022/interview-what-would-it-take-for-swedens-centre-party-to-back-ulf-kristersson-as-pm?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What would it take for Sweden's Centre Party to back Ulf Kristersson as PM?</a></strong></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Halloween in Sweden, Swedish media coverage of the Tidö government’s migration crackdown, our favourite Swedish children’s books, efforts to form Sweden’s next government, and a language quiz.</p><p>The last four years have seen sweeping change for immigrants in Sweden.</p><p>For many of The Local's readers, the lack of transitional rules in the new citizenship law caused untold stress. The same goes for multiple changes to the salary threshold required for a work permit.</p><p>Teen deportations hit the headlines in Sweden last year. But why did it take so long? And how come Swedish media missed so much of what was impacting the lives of people who chose to make Sweden their home?</p><p>Host <strong>Richard Orange </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Mandy Pipher </strong>and<strong> Emma Löfgren. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>.</p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Halloween</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261016/opinion-why-i-wish-sweden-would-just-stop-with-halloween?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">OPINION: Why I wish Sweden would just stop with Halloween</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Immigration</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261021/how-did-swedish-media-cover-the-migration-paradigm-shift?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How did Swedish media cover the 'migration paradigm shift'?</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261021/region-stockholm-reaches-centrist-governing-agreement-freezing-out-the-left?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Region Stockholm reaches centrist governing agreement, freezing out the left</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261020/what-does-centre-party-leader-elisabeth-thand-ringqvist-really-want?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What does Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist really want?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261022/interview-what-would-it-take-for-swedens-centre-party-to-back-ulf-kristersson-as-pm?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What would it take for Sweden's Centre Party to back Ulf Kristersson as PM?</a></strong></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week’s Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Brenda and Marcus Ramström, a couple in western Sweden who speak to The Local days before she is forced to return to her native Brazil following a Migration Court ruling. </p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>Brenda Ramström, a former Northvolt worker, is 21 weeks pregnant as she boards a flight on Tuesday for the first leg of a gruelling 23 hour journey to Brazil. </p><p>She has no clear idea of when she will be allowed to return to Sweden. </p><p>She and her husband Marcus tell The Local's <strong>Emma Löfgren</strong> that they were shocked and devastated when they received confirmation in late September that Brenda had four weeks to leave Sweden of her own volition or risk an entry ban. </p><p>Tune in to this week's Sweden in Focus Extra for the full story. </p><p><strong>Read also: <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261019/i-want-to-be-with-my-husband-pregnant-woman-forced-to-leave-sweden?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">‘I want to be with my husband’: Pregnant woman forced to leave Sweden</a></strong></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: First month post-election ends with no government, breakthrough on ending teen deportations, a plan to help citizenship applicants hit retroactively by the new law, and a reminder of some of the best things about living in Sweden.</p><p>More than a month has passed since Sweden’s election, and we still don’t have a government. As we were recording this week's episode, the Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson lost a vote in parliament on installing her as prime minister. So what happens now?</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Mandy Pipher </strong>and<strong> Emma Löfgren. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>.</p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261015/does-losing-parliament-vote-mean-andersson-cant-be-swedens-next-pm?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Does losing parliament vote mean Andersson can't be Sweden's next PM?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261014/moderates-hit-five-year-high-in-swedish-post-election-poll-as-liberals-slip?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Moderates hit five-year high in Swedish post-election poll as Liberals slip</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Immigration</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261013/how-swedens-new-majority-can-already-move-on-deportations-and-citizenship?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Sweden's 'new majority' can already move on deportations and citizenship</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261013/all-swedish-parties-back-emergency-freeze-on-teen-deportations?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">All Swedish parties back emergency freeze on teen deportations</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261013/swedish-mp-seeks-to-apply-old-rules-to-all-pre-june-6th-citizenship-applicants?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish MP seeks to apply old rules to all pre-June 6th citizenship applicants</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Living in Sweden</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261010/inside-sweden-remembering-what-i-love-about-this-country?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Remembering what I love about this country</a></strong></li></ul><p>Thumbnail photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week’s Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with AI consultant Anna Bärlund, who won an appeal last week against her Swedish citizenship rejection. </p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>On June 6th, Sweden rolled out major new citizenship reforms that included increasing the length of time that the partners of Swedish citizens have to live in Sweden before they become eligible for citizenship from three years to seven years.</p><p>What's more, the government didn't include transitional rules for those already in the queue despite the protestations of legal experts. </p><p>Consequently, many people who met the requirements when they applied are now being rejected. Until now Sweden's courts have sided with the Migration Agency, so when The Local's Emma Löfgren learned that Anna Bärlund had won her appeal, she was curious to find out more.</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261009/russian-ai-consultant-wins-appeal-under-swedens-new-citizenship-rules?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">AI consultant wins appeal under Sweden’s new citizenship rules</a></strong> </li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Tortuous efforts to form a government, plans to stop teen deportations, how new rules on family reunification could make life harder for university researchers, and what do The Local’s readers miss most when living in Sweden?</p><p>The four parties that claimed victory in the election are still a long way from forming a government, but there has been movement this week as they agreed to meet in person.</p><p>The parties will meet on Friday at a luxury hotel on the island of Lidingö, near Stockholm. But the plan is not to negotiate; instead they will be given a series of briefings on the problems facing Sweden.</p><p>The initiative came from the Centre Party, which has taken a lot of the blame for the lack of progress due to its insistence that the Left Party be denied ministerial posts in any coalition. But will it break the deadlock?</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Mandy Pipher </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>. </p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261005/four-party-meeting-set-to-test-swedens-government-potential?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Four-party meeting set to test Sweden's government potential</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261002/magdalena-andersson-once-again-given-job-of-building-new-swedish-government?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Magdalena Andersson once again given job of building new Swedish government</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Immigration</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260924/whats-in-swedens-new-law-on-family-reunification?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">What's in Sweden's new law on family reunification?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261007/qa-how-will-swedens-new-family-immigration-law-affect-researchers?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Q&A: How will Sweden's new family immigration law affect researchers?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260930/qa-who-is-affected-by-swedens-new-law-on-family-immigration?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Q&A: Who is affected by Sweden's new law on family immigration?</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Teen deportations </h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261006/swedens-centre-left-parties-agree-on-halting-teen-deportations?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sweden's centre-left parties agree on halting teen deportations</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261006/swedens-migration-minister-pledges-long-term-solution-to-teen-deportations?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sweden's migration minister pledges long-term solution to teen deportations</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Living in Sweden</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261008/flavourful-food-and-friendliness-what-foreigners-in-sweden-miss-from-home?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'Flavourful food and friendliness': What foreigners in Sweden miss from 'home'</a></strong></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>Gift Blessing is only 24 years old, but has already achieved an enormous amount. He is a rapper, an author, a newspaper columnist, and a poet.</p><p>He came to Sweden as a quota refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo as a young child. He broke through to public consciousness in 2021 with a bravura rap performance in Sweden's Got Talent (Talang).</p><p>Last month he was made Sweden's official reading ambassador with a mission to get young people reading.</p><p>And this week he is releasing an anthology of writing in English from writers from all around the world, but who are based in Stockholm.</p><p>This week's Sweden in Focus Extra features <strong>Gift Blessing</strong> in conversation with The Local's <strong>James Savage</strong>.</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20251209/long-read-in-sweden-there-are-only-good-bad-ugly-and-evil-immigrants?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">In Sweden, there are only good, bad, ugly and evil immigrants</a></strong> – a recent long read for The Local by Faisal Khan, one of the contributors to the new anthology, 'Upon All the Living'.</li></ul><p>Thumbnail photo by Maja Brand.</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Magdalena Andersson was acclaimed as the winner of Sweden’s election. Four parties – adding up to a majority – said they wanted her to be prime minister, and she was charged by the speaker with forming a government. Yet on Monday she threw in the towel.</p><p>The immediate pretext was the decision by the Left Party to support the re-election of speaker Andreas Norlén, a Moderate, over the Social Democrats’ own candidate.</p><p>But it followed two weeks in which Andersson had failed to get the Centre Party, Left Party and Greens to so much as take a cup of coffee with each other.</p><p>Now it’s up to the speaker to find someone else willing to have a go.</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>.</p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260928/breaking-social-democrat-magdalena-andersson-abandons-attempt-to-form-a-government?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Social Democrat Magdalena Andersson abandons attempt to form a government</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260928/strategy-or-spite-why-is-magda-giving-up-on-forming-swedens-next-government?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Strategy or spite? Why is Magda giving up on forming Sweden's next government?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260922/explained-what-needs-to-happen-for-sweden-to-get-a-new-prime-minister?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EXPLAINED: What needs to happen for Sweden to get a new prime minister?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260924/from-obvious-to-extremely-unlikely-nine-options-for-swedens-next-government?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From the obvious to the unthinkable: Nine options for Sweden's government</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Brexit</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20261002/but-what-are-the-rules-my-interview-with-the-swedish-migration-agencys-legal-chief?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">'But what are the rules?': My interview with the Swedish Migration Agency's legal chief</a></strong></li></ul><p>Thumbnail photo: Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar and Centre Party leader Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist take part in a party leader discussion hosted by RFSL during Stockholm Pride. Photo: Stefan Jerrevång/TT</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a>. </strong></p><p>Sweden's government tightened rules for citizenship earlier this year without transitional rules for people who had already applied. The new rules require eight years of residency instead of five for most applicants, and would-be citizens must now pass language and civics tests.</p><p>The Migration Court in Malmö looked very closely recently at a case in which an applicant appealed for their right to be awarded citizenship according to the old rules. But the court ruled against the citizenship applicant in a blow to people who had waited in the queue and were hoping to become Swedish citizens under the rules that were in place at the time of application. </p><p>Some hope was restored however when the judge told The Local's <strong>Richard Orange</strong> that an appeal to a higher court could succeed.</p><p>In this week's episode you can hear an excerpt from the interview with Judge Löndahl we well as a studio discussion about the case and what happens next.</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange. </strong></p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260922/chief-judge-expects-swedish-citizenship-case-to-be-tested-in-highest-court?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chief judge expects Swedish citizenship case to head to highest migration court</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260923/interview-the-last-word-has-not-yet-been-said-on-swedish-citizenship?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">INTERVIEW: 'The last word has not yet been said on Swedish citizenship'</a></strong></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In this week's podcast: Electoral fraud allegations, complex coalition building, Candy Crush maker faces strike action, and how do Swedes say 'Digestive biscuit'?</p><p>Negotiations between the centre-left parties are ongoing after they won a wafer thin majority in last week’s election.</p><p>But now a voter fraud scandal involving the Left Party threatens to derail the whole process.</p><p>Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the election of a Left Party Member of Parliament in the Dalarna region. What do know about the allegations so far? And could the scandal lead to a revote?</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange. </strong></p><p><strong>Not yet a member of The Local? <a href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcastoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join now with this special offer for podcast listeners</a></strong>.</p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>Electoral fraud scandal</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260924/swedish-left-party-leader-finally-speaks-on-election-fraud-allegations?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish Left Party leader finally speaks on election fraud allegations</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260924/swedish-election-authority-criticises-ballot-paper-system?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swedish Election Authority criticises ballot paper system</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260923/newly-elected-mp-steps-aside-amid-swedish-electoral-fraud-probe?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newly elected MP steps aside amid Swedish electoral fraud probe</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Politics</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260922/explained-what-needs-to-happen-for-sweden-to-get-a-new-prime-minister?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EXPLAINED: What needs to happen for Sweden to get a new prime minister?</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260921/behind-closed-doors-swedens-left-and-centre-parties-are-still-miles-apart?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Behind closed doors, Sweden's Left and Centre parties are still miles apart</a></strong></li></ul><h2>Working in Sweden</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260925/today-in-sweden-a-roundup-of-the-latest-news-on-friday-245?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UPDATE: Strike threat lifted as Candy Crush maker signs collective agreement</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260918/more-unions-join-pending-strike-at-swedish-candy-crush-maker?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">More unions join pending strike at Swedish Candy Crush maker</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260921/qa-why-swedish-unions-are-launching-a-strike-at-the-swedish-games-maker-king?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Q&A: Why Swedish unions are launching a strike at the games maker King</a></strong></li></ul><p>Zara Larsson clip credit: Heart Radio</p><p>Thumbnail photo: Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar. Magnus Hjalmarson Neideman/SVD/TT</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In this week’s Sweden in Focus Extra, The Local's Mandy Pipher tells us about the bureaucratic nightmare surrounding her recent trip to Canada.&nbsp;</p><p>Living in Sweden on a residence permit can be a risky business, not least given that almost everyone who does so has strong connections to another country and needs to travel frequently.</p><p>But if your residency card is in the process of being renewed while you're travelling, you risk being shut out of Sweden on your return.</p><p>In this episode, host <strong>James Savage</strong> talks to podcast regular <strong>Mandy Pipher</strong> about her struggles ahead of a recent trip home to Canada.</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260918/opinion-yes-swedish-immigrants-vote-in-their-own-interests-just-like-other-voters?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>OPINION: Yes, Swedish immigrants vote in their own interests – just like other voters</strong></a></li></ul><p><br></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Final election results, far right blames immigrants for loss, and what the election outcome means for foreigners in Sweden.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>200,000 foreigners who have become Swedish citizens are to blame for Sweden’s tiny swing to the left – and in particular for the losses suffered by the Sweden Democrats. That’s the claim being made by the party as it grapples with a surprise electoral reverse in Sunday’s election.</p><p>But is it accurate to say that immigrants won this election for the Left?</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Mandy Pipher </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>2026 Swedish election&nbsp;</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260917/kristersson-resigns-as-pm-after-swedens-centre-left-opposition-wins-election?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Kristersson resigns as PM after Sweden's centre-left opposition wins election</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260917/jimmie-akesson-reportedly-plans-break-if-sweden-democrats-enter-opposition?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Jimmie Åkesson reportedly plans break if Sweden Democrats enter opposition</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260916/opinion-the-misunderstood-centre-party-could-learn-from-ebba?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>OPINION: The misunderstood Centre Party could learn from Ebba Busch</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260915/its-tighter-than-i-thought-how-do-foreigners-in-sweden-feel-about-the-election?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>'It's tighter than I thought': How do foreigners in Sweden feel about the election?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260914/what-does-swedens-unexpectedly-close-election-result-mean-for-foreigners?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What does Sweden's unexpectedly close election result mean for foreigners?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260911/three-key-scenarios-what-will-happen-in-the-days-after-the-swedish-election?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Swedish government scenarios: What happens now?</strong></a></li></ul><p>Thumbnail on Spotify: Social Democrat party leader Magdalena Andersson and party secretary Tobias Baudin celebrate with supporter on election night. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT</p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>All three parties in the governing coalition increased their vote share while the Sweden Democrats lost ground.</p><p>On the left, meanwhile, the Social Democrats had a terrible election, while all the other parties had something to celebrate.</p><p>So why did the government parties do better than expected? What went wrong for the two biggest parties on the right and left?</p><p>And what is Sweden's next government likely to look like?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Nicholas Aylott</strong>, associate politics professor at Södertörn University, gives his views in a conversation with The Local's <strong>Richard Orange</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260914/centre-party-ready-to-start-talks-with-social-democrats-on-new-swedish-government?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Centre Party 'ready to start talks' with Social Democrats on new Swedish government</strong></a></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In this week’s Sweden in Focus Extra our panelists try to make sense of a dizzying election night.</p><p>Sweden’s election threw up some major surprises on Sunday night.</p><p>The Liberals cleared the parliamentary threshold by a respectable margin having languished way beneath the four percent limit ever since the last election.</p><p>The Social Democrats are seemingly on course for their worst election ever – but leader Magdalena Andersson could still be headed for a second stint as Sweden’s prime minister.</p><p>The incumbent, Ulf Kristersson, meanwhile can breathe a sigh of relief as his Moderate Party regained its position as Sweden’s second biggest party.</p><p>Their rise came at the expense of the Sweden Democrats, whose vote share dropped for the first time ever in a national election.</p><p>But what does it all mean for the business of forming a new government?</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage</strong> is joined this week by podcast regulars <strong>Emma Löfgren</strong> and <strong>Richard Orange</strong>.</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260914/what-does-swedens-unexpectedly-close-election-result-mean-for-foreigners?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What does Sweden's unexpectedly close election result mean for foreigners?</strong></a></li></ul><p><br></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Joy for Liberals as support swells, Sweden Democrats and Left Party hit by scandals, immigration in focus in TV debate, billionaires duel over which side to back, and poor school results throw a spanner in the works.&nbsp;</p><p>Two of Sweden’s wealthiest people, Jacob Wallenberg and Martin Lorentzon, warned in the Financial Times this week about the risks of a left-wing government. Another, Robert Weil, shot back, saying he was more concerned about “an ethno-nationalist and authoritarian policy where the issue of migration is allowed to dominate at the expense of other issues and interests."</p><p>Meanwhile, the Liberals are poised to clear the 4 percent threshold they need to get into parliament, according to a new Novus poll showing that the party had leapt from 1.9 percent to 5.8 percent.</p><p>The poll follows others that showed significant gains for the Liberals after months in which the party has languished well under the threshold, leaving many commentators to all but write off their chances – and those of Ulf Kristersson’s government.</p><p>On Sunday we'll find out if the Prime Minister's coalition has done enough to claw their way back or if Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson gets a second bite at the top job.&nbsp;</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><br><p><br></p><h2>2026 Swedish election&nbsp;</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260907/swedish-election-live-gap-narrows-between-left-and-right-in-high-stakes-race?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Swedish election blog: Who will govern Sweden after September 13th?</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260909/swedish-liberal-party-soars-over-parliamentary-threshold-in-new-poll?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Swedish Liberal Party soars over parliamentary threshold in new poll</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260909/politics-in-sweden-immigration-is-on-the-agenda-but-the-debate-is-surreal?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Politics in Sweden: Immigration is on the agenda, but the debate is surreal</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260908/top-swedish-investor-slams-wallenbergs-shameful-election-scaremongering?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Top Swedish investor slams Wallenberg's 'shameful' election scaremongering</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260908/top-swedish-investor-slams-wallenbergs-shameful-election-scaremongering?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Russian partner of top Sweden Democrat accused of pro-Putin posts</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260908/opinion-has-jimmie-akesson-been-playing-swedens-media-like-a-fiddle?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>OPINION: Has Jimmie Åkesson been playing the Swedish media like a fiddle?</strong></a></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Today's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Ludvig Aspling, migration spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats.&nbsp;</p><p>This week we are turning a spotlight on the two parties most likely to shape Sweden’s immigration policy after the September 13th election.</p><p><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260908/listen-what-are-the-social-democrats-plans-for-immigrants-in-sweden" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yesterday we heard from <strong>Ida Karkiainen</strong></a>, the Social Democrats’ immigration spokesperson. Today we’ll hear a conversation The Local's <strong>Richard Orange</strong> had with her counterpart from the Sweden Democrats, <strong>Ludvig Aspling. This interview took place</strong> in early August, a week before parliament voted on a so-called ‘safety valve’ to end teen deportations, which is one of the topics discussed in the episode.&nbsp;</p><p>The Sweden Democrats were long a pariah in Swedish politics due to their Nazi roots. But as the largest party on the right in the 2022 election they emerged as one of the main architects of the Tidö agreement underpinning the government’s so-called paradigm shift on immigration over the past four years.</p><p>The shift has seen Sweden get much tougher on asylum immigration, work and residence permits and citizenship, with many of the policies directly impacting a lot of readers of The Local.</p><p>With that in mind, make sure to tune in to this week’s main episode of Sweden in Focus, which we expect to come out on Friday, for discussion and analysis of these interviews with the main immigration spokespeople for two of Sweden’s biggest rival parties.</p><p>So what can foreigners in Sweden expect if the right holds on to power after the election on Sunday and the Sweden Democrats receive ministerial posts for the first time, and how happy is Ludvig Aspling with how Sweden’s immigration landscape has changed over the last four years?</p><p>Tune in for the full interview.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260807/if-you-came-to-work-in-sweden-because-of-relaxed-citizenship-rules-i-dont-want-you?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>'If you came to work in Sweden because of relaxed citizenship rules, I don’t want you'</strong></a></li></ul><p><br></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Ida Karkiainen, migration spokesperson for the Social Democrats.&nbsp;</p><p>With the Swedish election just days away, the podcast this week features conversations The Local's <strong>Richard Orange</strong> had recently with two of the people in with a strong chance of becoming Sweden’s next migration minister: <strong>Ida Karkiainen</strong> of the Social Democrats and <strong>Ludvig Aspling</strong> of the Sweden Democrats.</p><p>First up: Ida Karkiainen. She is immigration spokesperson for the Social Democrats, and with her party tipped to lead Sweden’s next government we wanted to find out what direction Sweden would take on immigration under their leadership.</p><p>The Social Democrats have been broadly on board with many of the changes to migration law ushered in by the current government but they have also been critical of a number of issues, such at how the government has handled the teen deportation scandal and its failure to allow transitional rules for citizenship applicants.</p><p>Tune in for the full interview.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>READ ALSO:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260907/we-dont-want-people-who-are-integrated-in-sweden-to-be-forced-to-leave?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>'We don't want people who are integrated in Sweden to be forced to leave'</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260904/social-democrats-plan-huge-inquiry-to-clean-up-swedish-immigration-law?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Social Democrats plan huge inquiry to clean up Swedish immigration law</strong></a></li></ul><p><br></p> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>This week: Right closing the gap on Sweden's left-wing opposition, party pledges explained, and could an extremist in Örebro get into the Riksdag? Oh, and fermented herring season is upon us.</p><p>A poll released this week showed the Sweden's government further closing the gap on the opposition. An election that looked like a foregone conclusion is now anything but.&nbsp;</p><p>Host <strong>James Savage </strong>is joined this week by panelists <strong>Emma Löfgren </strong>and<strong> Richard Orange.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:</p><h2>2026 Swedish election&nbsp;</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260902/swedish-opposition-parties-lead-collapses-in-shock-new-poll?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Swedish opposition parties' lead collapses in shock new poll</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260831/key-points-how-party-election-pledges-could-affect-foreigners-in-sweden?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>KEY POINTS: How party election pledges could affect foreigners in Sweden</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20260901/politics-in-sweden-the-small-town-demagogue-aiming-for-a-riksdag-spot?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Politics in Sweden: The small-town demagogue aiming for a Riksdag spot</strong></a></li></ul><h2>Food & Drink</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.thelocal.se/20170816/surstrmming-what-you-need-to-know-before-trying-swedens-fermented-herring?tpcc=podcast-article" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What you need to know before trying Sweden's fermented herring</strong></a></li></ul> <p>Become a member at <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock">https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>