https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Demand for construction workers and several other traditional blue-collar roles is growing rapidly in Sweden, according to new figures. But the white-collar sector is lagging behind. https://www.thelocal.com/20261014/looking-for-work-in-sweden-the-hottest-jobs-right-now-are-in-the-blue-collar-sector Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:37:50 +0200 looking-for-work-in-sweden-the-hottest-jobs-right-now-are-in-the-blue-collar-sector Sweden's Moderate Party has recorded its highest level of voter support in five years in a new opinion poll. https://www.thelocal.com/20261014/moderates-hit-five-year-high-in-swedish-post-election-poll-as-liberals-slip Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:56:20 +0200 moderates-hit-five-year-high-in-swedish-post-election-poll-as-liberals-slip Attention in France is largely focused on student and other protests - but John Lichfield argues that the Budget debates beginning in parliament represent a much clearer and more present danger for the country. https://www.thelocal.com/20261014/opinion-france-is-hurtling-towards-a-precipice-of-debt Wed, 14 Oct 2026 09:21:21 +0200 opinion-france-is-hurtling-towards-a-precipice-of-debt The budget airline easyJet has announced that it will launch a new UK-France route, providing better access to Brittany. https://www.thelocal.com/20261013/easyjet-to-launch-new-uk-france-route Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:52:20 +0200 easyjet-to-launch-new-uk-france-route The Green Party's top MP Annika Hirvonen has started the new parliamentary term with a flurry of initiatives on teen deportations. She tells The Local how she hopes a new majority will allow action on citizenship and Brexit deportations too. https://www.thelocal.com/20261013/how-swedens-new-majority-can-already-move-on-deportations-and-citizenship Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:47:24 +0200 how-swedens-new-majority-can-already-move-on-deportations-and-citizenship Denmark is set to introduce a new collective agreement-based work permit scheme from the beginning of next year, which will make it easier for citizens of 16 select countries to secure a permit. https://www.thelocal.com/20261013/denmark-slashes-work-permit-salary-threshold-for-some-applicants-by-almost-20000-kroner Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:50:45 +0200 denmark-slashes-work-permit-salary-threshold-for-some-applicants-by-almost-20000-kroner Have you heard a group of Spanish teenagers slipping English terms like 'bro' or 'mood' into their speech? That's because English has come to dominate teen talk in Spain in recent years. https://www.thelocal.com/20250411/bro-que-cringe-how-english-now-dominates-teen-talk-in-spain Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:12:16 +0200 bro-que-cringe-how-english-now-dominates-teen-talk-in-spain The number of foreign researchers in Sweden has doubled since 2012, and now make up around half of all new hires in university research, a new report from Statistics Sweden revealed. https://www.thelocal.com/20261013/foreign-researchers-make-up-half-of-new-hires-at-swedish-universities Tue, 13 Oct 2026 11:51:45 +0200 foreign-researchers-make-up-half-of-new-hires-at-swedish-universities Swedish major banks have surged up this year's ranking of the world's 50 safest commercial banks. https://www.thelocal.com/20261012/two-swedish-banking-giants-crowned-worlds-safest-commercial-banks Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:43:47 +0200 two-swedish-banking-giants-crowned-worlds-safest-commercial-banks Two pupils at an elite Swedish boarding school are suspected of, among other things, sexual harassment and assault after, allegedly, a hazing ritual got out of hand. https://www.thelocal.com/20261012/two-remanded-in-custody-over-hazing-at-swedish-boarding-school Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:38:25 +0200 two-remanded-in-custody-over-hazing-at-swedish-boarding-school Two public officials in northern Italy have been suspended and a mayor placed under investigation for their role in selling false passports to Brazilian clients, national media reported over the weekend. https://www.thelocal.com/20261012/brazilians-targeted-in-fake-italian-citizenship-scam Mon, 12 Oct 2026 11:01:28 +0200 brazilians-targeted-in-fake-italian-citizenship-scam The AI consultant Anna Bärlund has become one of the first to successfully appeal a citizenship rejection under Sweden’s new longer residency requirements. Her arguments won't work for everyone, but the ruling could have wider implications if upheld. https://www.thelocal.com/20261009/russian-ai-consultant-wins-appeal-under-swedens-new-citizenship-rules Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:10:38 +0200 russian-ai-consultant-wins-appeal-under-swedens-new-citizenship-rules In her proposed budget, far right leader Marine Le Pen has included one measure that could affect every foreign citizen working in France - the introduction of an extra tax of €1,000 per worker, per year for every company that employs non-EU nationals. https://www.thelocal.com/20261008/le-pen-proposes-new-tax-on-companies-in-france-that-employ-foreign-workers Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:10:37 +0200 le-pen-proposes-new-tax-on-companies-in-france-that-employ-foreign-workers Sweden's economy is growing faster than expected, according to the right-wing caretaker government's latest forecast. https://www.thelocal.com/20261009/sweden-leaves-recession-behind-with-stronger-growth-and-falling-unemployment Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:17:01 +0200 sweden-leaves-recession-behind-with-stronger-growth-and-falling-unemployment The AfD's Tobias Rausch was expected to be elected as parliamentary president in Saxony-Anhalt. But four unexpected votes backing the far-right leader have plunged assumptions about Germany's political future into doubt. https://www.thelocal.com/20261007/nothing-is-certain-did-germanys-firewall-just-crumble-in-saxony-anhalt Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:48:58 +0200 nothing-is-certain-did-germanys-firewall-just-crumble-in-saxony-anhalt Higher energy prices and a weaker krona more than doubled CPIF inflation in September, according to preliminary estimates from Statistics Sweden. https://www.thelocal.com/20261007/higher-interest-rate-looms-as-crucial-swedish-inflation-figures-double Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:12:24 +0200 higher-interest-rate-looms-as-crucial-swedish-inflation-figures-double Austria’s adult-protection system is designed to let people keep making their own decisions for as long as possible, but it also sets out who can step in when illness or an impairment makes that impossible. https://www.thelocal.com/20260825/guide-guardianship-or-power-of-attorney-options-in-austria-for-elderly-or-vulnerable-people Tue, 25 Aug 2026 11:56:07 +0200 guide-guardianship-or-power-of-attorney-options-in-austria-for-elderly-or-vulnerable-people Sweden's centre-left parties have reached an agreement on emergency legislation to halt teenage deportations. https://www.thelocal.com/20261006/swedens-centre-left-parties-agree-on-halting-teen-deportations Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:18:38 +0200 swedens-centre-left-parties-agree-on-halting-teen-deportations Austria offers superb autumn hiking opportunities, but experts say smart planning and the right kit make all the difference for staying safe. Here’s what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.com/20250908/the-essential-advice-for-hiking-safely-in-austrias-mountains-this-autumn Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:30:37 +0200 the-essential-advice-for-hiking-safely-in-austrias-mountains-this-autumn Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called a general election nine months before the end of his third mandate. Why has he done this, and why now? https://www.thelocal.com/20261005/why-has-spains-pm-called-a-snap-election Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:34:06 +0200 why-has-spains-pm-called-a-snap-election