https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Sweden in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed In this week's podcast: latest on teen deportations and citizenship voting scandal, Sweden loosens alcohol laws and Åkesson calls for Sunday opening for Systembolaget, Sweden to buy warships from France, and India and Sweden strike strategic deal. https://www.thelocal.se/20260522/how-relaxed-alcohol-laws-could-spice-up-swedens-nightlife Fri, 22 May 2026 09:57:01 +0200 how-relaxed-alcohol-laws-could-spice-up-swedens-nightlife This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Mikael Odenberg, a Moderate Party veteran and former Swedish defence minister. https://www.thelocal.se/20260519/a-mistake-to-commit-to-a-government-with-sweden-democrats Tue, 19 May 2026 08:45:50 +0200 a-mistake-to-commit-to-a-government-with-sweden-democrats In this week's podcast: lawyers claim rule of law endangered in Sweden, threats in the Riksdag after citizenship vote scandal, museums risk closure, and take on our panelist in a a Swedish civics quiz. https://www.thelocal.se/20260514/why-1800-lawyers-warn-rule-of-law-is-under-threat-in-sweden Thu, 14 May 2026 07:32:01 +0200 why-1800-lawyers-warn-rule-of-law-is-under-threat-in-sweden This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Åsa Holmes, the head of the Swedish Migration Agency’s citizenship unit in Gothenburg. https://www.thelocal.se/20260512/all-applications-in-swedens-citizenship-queue-will-be-assessed-according-to-the-new-rules Tue, 12 May 2026 22:23:50 +0200 all-applications-in-swedens-citizenship-queue-will-be-assessed-according-to-the-new-rules In this week's podcast: Fallout from citizenship vote pairing debacle, how the Migration Agency will process cases after June 6th, Swedish language TISUS test decoded, and why are those Swedes staring at you? https://www.thelocal.se/20260508/week-of-chaos-in-swedish-politics-after-citizenship-vote-scandal Fri, 08 May 2026 10:46:01 +0200 week-of-chaos-in-swedish-politics-after-citizenship-vote-scandal This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Andreas Bergh, Associate Professor of Economics at Lund University. https://www.thelocal.se/20260506/swedes-are-realising-we-need-people-from-other-countries-to-do-jobs Wed, 06 May 2026 09:20:50 +0200 swedes-are-realising-we-need-people-from-other-countries-to-do-jobs In this week's podcast: Cheating accusations in vote on transitional rules in citizenship law, King turns 80, celebrating Valborg and May 1st traditions. https://www.thelocal.se/20260430/how-swedens-dramatic-citizenship-law-deadline-day-unfolded Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:03:01 +0200 how-swedens-dramatic-citizenship-law-deadline-day-unfolded This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Nicholas Aylott, a political scientist at Södertörn, University. https://www.thelocal.se/20260428/still-a-mystery-how-swedens-left-can-end-in-fighting-to-rule-together Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:31:50 +0200 still-a-mystery-how-swedens-left-can-end-in-fighting-to-rule-together In this week's podcast: Stats agency surveys foreign workers, where to live in Sweden's biggest cities, is a centrist government likely in Sweden? And are your summer flights at risk? https://www.thelocal.se/20260417/why-most-high-skilled-workers-say-theyre-happy-in-sweden Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:04:01 +0200 why-most-high-skilled-workers-say-theyre-happy-in-sweden This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Fahima Ayub Khan, a Gothenburg University researcher fighting a deportation order. https://www.thelocal.se/20260422/sweden-is-no-longer-good-at-protecting-the-interests-of-its-international-residents Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:37:50 +0200 sweden-is-no-longer-good-at-protecting-the-interests-of-its-international-residents In this week's podcast: Sweden moves to phase out permanent residency for most immigrants, spring budget revealed, a huge green transition boost in northern Sweden, Russian hybrid threats, and our panelists pick their favourite Swedish words. https://www.thelocal.se/20260417/why-sweden-is-shutting-off-pathways-to-permanent-residency Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:04:01 +0200 why-sweden-is-shutting-off-pathways-to-permanent-residency This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Amelie Berg, immigration and labour market expert at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. https://www.thelocal.se/20260415/its-wrong-for-the-swedish-state-to-decide-who-companies-should-employ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:20:50 +0200 its-wrong-for-the-swedish-state-to-decide-who-companies-should-employ In this week's podcast: PM says Sweden Democrats will get migration minister position if right wins election, inside Sweden's deportation centres, high-skilled workers losing trust in Sweden, and why is competition a dirty word for children in Sweden? https://www.thelocal.se/20260410/why-does-ulf-kristersson-want-to-put-sweden-democrats-in-charge-of-immigration Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:46:01 +0200 why-does-ulf-kristersson-want-to-put-sweden-democrats-in-charge-of-immigration This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Péter Tóth, head of Spotify Workers Unionen. https://www.thelocal.se/20260408/swedens-immigration-overhaul-erodes-trust-in-government-institutions Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:51:50 +0200 swedens-immigration-overhaul-erodes-trust-in-government-institutions In this week's podcast: 'month of destiny' for citizenship, Sweden backsliding on democracy, Swedes irate as France bans white snus, and Swedish folk wisdom on weather. https://www.thelocal.se/20260403/how-serious-is-swedens-democratic-decline Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:46:01 +0200 how-serious-is-swedens-democratic-decline This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Therese Svanström, chairperson of TCO, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees. https://www.thelocal.se/20260331/we-worry-that-migration-rules-are-making-sweden-more-unattractive Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:39:50 +0200 we-worry-that-migration-rules-are-making-sweden-more-unattractive In this week's podcast: key trade union group wants transitional rules for citizenship, Swedish Easter traditions, 'poor conduct' law targeting immigrants edges closer, and how the Migration Agency is tackling its huge backlog. https://www.thelocal.se/20260319/how-to-celebrate-easter-in-sweden-and-unions-reject-immigration-clampdown Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:46:01 +0100 how-to-celebrate-easter-in-sweden-and-unions-reject-immigration-clampdown This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features an interview with Fredrik Kopsch, chief economist at Sweden's free market think tank Timbro. https://www.thelocal.se/20260325/politicians-knew-teens-would-be-kicked-out-the-surprise-was-the-reaction Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:58:50 +0100 politicians-knew-teens-would-be-kicked-out-the-surprise-was-the-reaction In this week's podcast: citizenship vote draws near, election preview, taking a Swedish language test, and why do Swedes eat waffles on March 25th? https://www.thelocal.se/20260319/crunch-time-for-swedens-new-citizenship-law Thu, 19 Mar 2026 08:46:01 +0100 crunch-time-for-swedens-new-citizenship-law This week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra features analysis of the Liberal Party's decision to no longer oppose far-right Sweden Democrat inclusion in a future government. https://www.thelocal.se/20260317/why-the-liberals-abandoned-their-opposition-to-sweden-democrats-in-government Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:36:50 +0100 why-the-liberals-abandoned-their-opposition-to-sweden-democrats-in-government