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:

• 'Total deadlock': No end in sight to Sweden's parliamentary pairing chaos
• No decision made about transitional rules at committee meeting
• How will the Swedish Migration Agency handle citizenship cases after June 6th?
• Sweden's first citizenship test to be held on August 15th
• How likely is a revote on transitional rules for Swedish citizenship?

• Why that Swede glaring at you on the street might be trying to be polite

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Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+

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Public opinion in Sweden is increasingly at odds with the government's restrictive immigration policies, a new survey has found.

The study, commissioned by non-profit organisation Globeknot and carried out by Novus, found that 81 per cent of respondents thought that foreigners who follow the law and support themselves should be allowed to stay in Sweden.

The Local's Richard Orange caught up with Globeknot's Andreas Bergh, who is also Associate Professor of Economics at Lund University, to find out more about the survey.

READ ALSO:

• Sweden's migration crackdown 'goes beyond what most voters want'

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Sign up here for their live Q&A sessions on working in Sweden

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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+

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

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

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+

This week we spend most of the episode looking at Wednesday’s controversial vote in parliament to pass stricter citizenship laws.

We also talk about King Carl Gustaf’s 80th birthday celebrations, Sweden’s bonfire night and May Day celebrations.

Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Emma Löfgren and Richard Orange.

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

• As it happened: Swedish MPs vote through citizenship reforms without transitional rules
• Sweden's parliament rejects transitional rules for citizenship bill
• Sweden Democrats accused of cheating to block transitional rules for citizenship
• Swedish opposition demand revote on transitional citizenship rules
• 'I feel scammed': Foreigners in Sweden react to controversial citizenship vote

• Walpurgis Night: Why are Swedes dancing around bonfires?
• Where are the best places to celebrate Valborg in Sweden in 2026?
• Why is May 1st a public holiday in Sweden?

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

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