Opinion and Analysis
Read the latest opinion and analysis from Sweden.
Why I still don't understand the hype about Sweden's semlor
After over a decade in Sweden, The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange still feels that semlor – the much-hyped Swedish Lent speciality – aren't really all that.
Why 2025 is the 'ox year' for Sweden's government
This is the year on which the Swedish right-wing parties' decision to open up to the Sweden Democrats will be judged. Will far-reaching reforms to migration, criminal justice and nuclear power be realised, asks The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
Why does the Swedish media love killjoy festive news?
It's time for Christmas! A cause for celebration? Not if the Swedish media has its way.
Politics in Sweden: Energy minister shrugs off heavy criticism of nuclear financing plans
Sweden's government was left with two options after many of Sweden's top expert agencies panned its proposed funding scheme for new nuclear reactors: go back to the drawing board or plough on regardless. They chose the latter, writes The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
Does Sweden's government even agree on its own citizenship slowdown plan?
The language around the Swedish government's controversial plan to slow down citizenship decisions is so vague that it suggests that the parties behind it don't agree on what they want to do, argues The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
OPINION: Foreigners in Sweden deserve fair and transparent citizenship rules
The Local's Becky Waterton fulfilled all the requirements when she applied for Swedish citizenship back in September. Now, she wonders if she'll qualify at all by the time her application is processed – and she's not the only one.
Is Sweden's Left Party serious about blocking a government it isn't part of?
"Call it an ultimatum if you want," exclaimed Left Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar as she laid out in the starkest terms yet that her party plans to insist on ministerial positions in a future government. Is she serious, asks The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
How Sweden's 'snitch law' is putting the Tidö Agreement to the test
Sweden's government will soon receive the conclusions of its inquiry into forcing school and health workers to report undocumented migrants. Might it be about to clash with the Sweden Democrats over how to interpret the deal that gave it power, asks The Local's Nordic Editor Richard Orange.
OPINION: Trump's win spells crisis for Europe, but it could save the EU
The return of Donald Trump to the White House may be catastrophic for US democracy. It could be even more destructive for Europe, writes John Lichfield.
OPINION: Europe's open borders are precious, but they are under threat
As countries within the EU reintroduce checks on their Schengen zone borders, columnist John Lichfield looks at why this threat to the 'invisible achievement' of open borders matters to the whole of Europe.
Reader's story: How a surprise encounter pushed me to learn Swedish
The Local's reader Ravi Bagri shares a heartwarming story of how an encounter with his neighbour left him feeling more at home in Sweden – and more motivated than ever to learn Swedish.
OPINION: Sweden needs to reconsider 'three-month deadline' for laid-off non-EU workers
Losing your job is tough for anyone. But for work permit holders, their entire future in Sweden is at stake, as well as Sweden’s ability to retain the foreign talent it needs, writes The Local Sweden's editor Emma Löfgren.
Why August is an underrated month for summer holidays in Sweden
In her first week back at work after an unusually late summer holiday (by Swedish standards, at least), The Local's Becky Waterton wonders why Swedes seem to overlook August as a great summer month.
OPINION: Sweden Democrats have only themselves to blame for election setback
Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson normally serves a cleaned-up, easily digestible version of far-right politics. This election he gave voters the real thing. It's no surprise fewer were ready to swallow, writes The Local's Nordic editor, Richard Orange.
OPINION: Jimmie Åkesson’s white nationalist language puts immigrants in Sweden at risk
The leader of Sweden’s second-biggest party claimed this week that Swedes were being systematically replaced by immigrants and all we got from government politicians was a resigned shrug. This is what happens when white nationalism is normalised, says Paul O'Mahony.
OPINION: Are tips in Sweden becoming the norm?
Should you tip in Sweden? Habits are changing fast thanks to new technology and a hard-pressed restaurant trade, writes James Savage.
Twelve things about Sweden that make me smile
The Local's Nordic editor Richard Orange runs through some of the things about life in Sweden that warm his heart.
OPINION: Swedes, it's time to embrace language barriers, not avoid them
In a recent article in Dagens Nyheter, journalist Alex Schulman praises the Danish coach of Sweden's football team for speaking English in press conferences. Wouldn't it be better to embrace the Danish-Swedish language barrier, instead of avoiding it, asks The Local's deputy editor Becky Waterton.
'Dagens' lunch specials – an unexpected window into Swedish society
Becky Waterton, The Local’s Deputy Editor, writes a love letter to Sweden's dagens lunch tradition.
OPINION: Why I hope the stats are right about Swedish children's reading and maths
Richard Orange finds the slow progress his children are making at their Swedish municipal school excruciating, particularly the handwriting. But the statistics indicate that, at least when it comes to reading, maths, and science, they should catch up by around the age of 11.
OPINION: Living in Sweden has changed me in the strangest ways
On a trip back home I found myself rolling my eyes at my parents as they went around the house closing all the curtains the second it got dark. It was at that point I knew: Sweden has changed me.
OPINION: Please stop turning Scandi words like 'friluftsliv' into viral trends
Originally a Norwegian invention, 'friluftsliv' is popular across Scandinavia and is one of many exported words which portrays the locals as special mythical beings when, in reality, they are much more like the rest of us than the online trends suggest.
Should Sweden abandon a weak krona for the euro?
With the 20th anniversary of Sweden's euro referendum this month, the weak krona has revived the long dormant debate over Swedish membership. We look at why joining the single currency looks more attractive today.