Sweden in Focus

Special offer for membersGet Membership+ free for two months__In this week's episode: We chat to Americans about the US election result and how it will affect Sweden, Riksbank slashes key interest rate, reactions to the guilty verdict delivered to the far-right leader Rasmus Paludan for hate speech.Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local Sweden editor Emma Löfren and publisher James Savage. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:US ElectionAmericans in Sweden mourn Democrat defeat at election vigils'I miss being with other Americans who feel the stakes as deeply as I do'Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson congratulates Trump on election winEconomySweden's Riksbank slashes rates with first 'double cut' in a decade IN FIGURES: How could lower interest rates affect your Swedish mortgage? CrimeSwedish court jails Danish extremist Rasmus Paludan for hate crimes 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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: How gang crime is top of the agenda for Nordic leaders, why a politician wants to make recognizing Israel a condition of citizenship, the controversial past of India’s new ambassador, and which of Swedish universities are really world class.Host James Savage 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:Nordic Council of MinistersNordic countries vow joint crackdown on gangs and migrationIsrael and citizenshipNew Swedish citizens should have to recognise Israel, MEP demandsIndian ambassadorIndia's new ambassador to Sweden tainted by maid abuse scandalSweden's best universitiesRANKED: The best universities in Scandinavia for 2025Get 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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: Halloween preparations, why Sweden is seeing fewer work permit applications, how a new fiscal policy framework has divided Sweden's left-wing parties. 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:Swedish traditionsHalloween vs All Saints Day: How to celebrate in SwedenThe best places to celebrate Halloween in Sweden this yearWork permitsSwedish Migration Agency: We underestimated effect of work permit salary threshold EconomyEXPLAINED: How significant is it that Sweden is changing its fiscal target? Politics in Sweden: Have the Social Democrats just lost themselves the next election? 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. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode: Signs you live in Sweden, Rasmus Paludan on trial over anti-Muslim slurs, how celebrating your home culture can connect you to Sweden. Host Paul O’Mahony is joined this week by The Local's Becky Waterton and James Savage, and we also hear from India Unlimited founder Sanjoo Malhotra about expressions of Indian culture in Sweden. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish traditionsTell us you live in Sweden without telling us you live in SwedenDiscriminationDanish-Swedish extremist Rasmus Paludan charged with hate crimes CultureHow celebrating your home culture can make you feel more connected to Sweden 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 on The Local to activate your subscription. Become a member at https://www.thelocal.se/podcasts/podcast-offer?tpcc=padlock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.