This week we talk about a security scandal surrounding Prime minister Ulf Kristersson.

And with the men's football World Cup kicking off this week, we assess Sweden's chances.

We also discuss new restrictions on permanent residency and turbulence on the left side of Swedish politics.

And we have an interview with Liz Stopka from the American Swedish Institute about the history of Swedish emigration to the United States.

Host James Savage is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and Emma Löfgren.

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

• Sweden's Left Party removes local candidates who praised terror groups

• Opinion: Do Sweden's deportations have more parallels to the US than Swedes realise?

• How can you watch the 2026 men's football World Cup in Sweden?

• Swedish parliament approves bill to abolish future permanent residency for refugees

• When will Sweden next raise the work permit salary threshold?

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Two popular museums in Stockholm are at risk of closure because the government agency that owns the properties is now requiring the museums, which are also run by a government agency, to pay market rents that they can’t afford.

It’s currently unclear if Medelhavsmuseet and Östasiatiska museet will be able to stay open.

Known in English as The Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities, and the East Asian Antiquities Museum, the two city centre museums are much-loved destinations for Stockholmers and visitors alike.

To learn more about their importance, The Local’s Mandy Pipher caught up recently with Ninhursag Tadaros, an Assyriologist and curator who has previously worked with the Mesopotamian collection at Medelhavsmuseet.

READ ALSO:

• Why two iconic Stockholm museums might have to close

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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This week we look at the government’s solution to teen deportations, and we discuss the new citizenship law coming into force on Saturday, which also happens to be National Day.

We also talk about how unnerving it can be for foreigners when a young child switches to Swedish before you even properly understand it.

And for Membership+ subscribers, we talk about the Swedish community in the US and how they keep their Swedishness alive.

Host Richard Orange is joined this week by panelists Mandy Pipher and James Savage.

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

• Sweden's house speaker says no to emergency motion on transitional rules
• Sweden's government announces proposed solution for teen deportations
• Is the Swedish Migration Agency working overtime to fast-track citizenship cases?

• Citizenship-scandal Sweden Democrat MP quits over child pornography probe

• The hardest part of moving to Sweden? Suddenly not understanding my own child

• The migration crisis that divided Sweden and made it a better country

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+

Read more about Membership+ in our help centre.

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

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