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This week we talk about the latest on Sweden’s new citizenship law as we enter a crunch period for possible amendments before it’s enacted.

Also, with six months left to the election we examine the state of play after a dramatic week in Swedish politics.

For Membership+ subscribers we’ take a closer look at the Tisus Swedish language test which some prospective citizens hope will be their gateway to completing the new language requirement. And we talk more generally about how to get into a Swedish university after applications opened earlier this week.

Finally, we get our teeth into Sweden’s Waffle Day tradition ahead of the annual celebration of the humble våffla next week.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Emma Löfgren.

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

• Members Q&A on Sweden's tightening of citizenship rules
• 'Security reasons' behind lack of transitional rules for Swedish citizenship

• Politics in Sweden: Hugging Åkesson close could be the kiss of death for Liberals
• What's in the Liberals' 15-point deal with the Sweden Democrats?

• Sweden's language requirement to be enforced from June 6th despite test delay
• What you need to know about applying to university in Sweden

• Why do Swedes always eat waffles on March 25th?

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

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

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+

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The smallest party in Sweden's three-party coalition government faces a battle for survival, with opinion polls consistently showing the Liberals way below the four-percent support required to enter the Riksdag.

It was against this backdrop that party leader Simona Mohamsson held a joint press conference on Friday with Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of the Sweden Democrat party on which the coalition is so for support.

At a meeting that ended with a hug in front of press photographers, Mohamsson revealed that her party was abandoning its long-standing opposition to going into government with the far right.

The Local's James Savage is our guest this week to analyse what it means for Swedish politics now that the Liberals have broken a key pledge to their voters.

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+

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This week we talk about the government backtracking on some of its most heavily criticised immigration reforms and what it means for immigrants in Sweden.

We also discuss this year’s winner of Melodifestivalen, Felicia, an artist with a colourful back story who’s set to represent Sweden at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

For Membership+ subscribers we look at why April could be a good month for your personal finances in Sweden.

Finally we’ll bring you the latest on what we know about which professions are going to be exempted from increased work permit salary requirements.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

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

• 'They came to their senses': Readers react to Sweden's deportation u-turn
• Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turn

• Sweden's Eurovision entry in hot water after Israel comments

• Why April could be a good month for your Swedish finances

• REVEALED: Migration Agency readies slimmed Swedish work visa shortlist

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

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

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+

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In this week’s episode The Local’s editor Emma Löfgren speaks with Johanna Nylander, acting head of the Swedish Games Industry Association (Dataspelsbranschen).

Games are one of Sweden’s biggest exports and a lot of skilled foreign workers have made their way to Sweden to work in the industry.

But with the government pushing through citizenship reforms without transitional rules, does Sweden risk becoming a less attractive destination for the international workers the games industry needs?

READ ALSO:

• Swedish games boss warns 'retroactive' citizenship reforms 'not good for industry'

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

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This week’s episode features an interview about the lack of transitional rules in Sweden’s proposed new citizenship law.

The Local’s deputy editor Becky Waterton speaks to Patrick Gallen, a spokesperson for the grassroots organisation Fair Transition.

Why is the group so adamant that Sweden should not move the goalposts for citizenship applicants who applied long before the Swedish government decided to revamp the citizenship law,?

And why does he believe that the lack of transition rules risks making Sweden less competitive.

READ ALSO:

• Can this campaign group change the Swedish government's mind on citizenship?
• OPINION: 'Sweden's parliament should add transitional rules to the citizenship law'

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 talk about whether the recent Swedish media pushback against teen deportations is affecting how the government is approaching immigration in the last few months before the election.

We also discuss heavy criticism of Sweden’s planned new citizenship law by a legal oversight body.

For Membership+ subscribers we explain how Swedish birthday traditions work.

Finally we ask what the government’s plan to restrict benefits for immigrants means for newcomers to the country.

Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange.

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

• Three years after The Local, Sweden wakes up to teen deportations

• OPINION: 'Sweden's parliament should add transitional rules to the citizenship law'
• Sweden's Council on Legislation criticises retroactive citizenship rules

• How to survive a children's birthday party in Sweden

• What does Sweden's plan to restrict benefits for newcomers mean for work permit holders?

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

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

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+

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In this week’s episode The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange interviews Ximena Ramos Salas and her husband Nelson Loyola about the pending deportation of their son Andres.

Ximena grew up in Sweden and the family moved back from Canada in 2018 to be with her terminally ill mother in Skåne.

Her son, who has severe ADHD, has dropped out of his adult education classes as a result of the stress and anxiety brought on by the decision to deport him.

"There's no way we're gonna send him back alone. He is fully dependent on us."

READ ALSO:

• 'If I’d known, I wouldn't have come': How Sweden's teen deportations deter skilled workers
• Swedish government to look at allowing teen deportees to graduate

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

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