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Local Sweden
3 days ago
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Why are Swedish media suddenly naming Forssell as minister in white supremacism scandal?
The Local and several other Swedish news sites have made the decision to name Migration Minister Johan Forssell as the government minister whose close relative has been linked to white supremacist groups. The Local Sweden's editor explains the decision. Advertisement Ulf Kristersson's government managed to scrape by for a week without saying anything of real substance on the anonymous minister's links to white supremacism via a family member, a story broken by Expo, before most of Swedish mainstream media let the cat out of the bag. The cat, in this case, being Migration Minister Johan Forssell. It started with Nyhetsbyrån Järva naming him last week, with local newspapers Västerbottens-kuriren and Gefle Dagblad following suit over the weekend. But of course by then, it was already all over the internet via social media and forums. Expressen then became the first national newspaper to name him on Wednesday. After first anonymising Forssell, The Local also made the decision to name him on July 9th. Why did it take so long? First, it involves an underage person, who according to an anonymous statement from the minister has after a 'long and frank conversation' now left that world behind. Secondly, Swedish media ethics are extremely clear on the idea that journalists should show strong restraint when it comes to identifying a person when publishing damaging (potentially for life) information about them, especially if they are not a public figure. So in this case, it was never a question about protecting Forssell – he's very much a public figure, so there is an obvious public interest – it's about protecting the relative and giving an underage non-public figure a second chance to get their life together. On the other hand, if a minister in any government has close links to someone said to be involved in organisations that promote violent neo-Nazi ideals, it's a security risk. It is also the government that's pushed through some of the harshest immigration reforms in years, including threatening to revoke residency permits on loose grounds of "poor conduct", and which has made it clear that it does matter who your relatives are. Forssell has been one of the most outspoken ministers about, for example, parents in largely immigrant suburbs being responsible for keeping their children away from gangs. The reasons for not naming Forssell still weighed heavily, however, and it should have been perfectly possible to hold both him and the government to account nonetheless. The problem was that the government tried its best to make it impossible. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer – the only minister to comment on the quickly-growing scandal – refused when approached by public broadcaster SVT last week to even speak about whether or not the relative's actions could constitute a security risk. Advertisement According to Expo, the relative had 'sought out and joined' some of Sweden's most racist groups, including Det fria Sverige and Aktivklubb Sverige, and collaborated with an activist from the Nordic Resistance Movement, which was classified as a terror group by the US last summer. Swedish police believe Aktivklubb Sverige is actively trying to map Swedish officials as potential targets for blackmail and engages in combat training with the long-term goal of creating a right-wing extremist militia. It's not hard to argue that even without naming his colleague, a justice minister should be able to have opinions on the security risk posed by far-right, violent extremism. The only other comment from a senior member of the government was a statement from Forssell himself, sent to the TT news agency via the prime minister's press secretary without the government actually disclosing the identity of the minister. In that statement, he said that he had only recently found out that his relative had been 'hanging out in completely the wrong circles' and that he had been working closely with the security police since then. 'I detest all kinds of political extremism and strongly distance myself from it,' read the comment. 'I have had long and frank conversations with the minor who is both remorseful and sad. All association with these circles is a closed chapter.' In fact, the only government confirmation of his identity came inadvertently when the Moderate Party's deputy party secretary phoned up the editor-in-chief of Västerbottens-kuriren to berate him for publishing the minister's name. Advertisement In Sweden, the decision of whether or not to name a person ultimately rests with the publisher (ansvarig utgivare) and exercising caution at first wasn't cowardly – it was the right decision if journalists were to uphold the values of our media ethics. The fact that Forssell's name was already all over the internet wasn't a huge factor – each newsroom traditionally makes its own editorial decisions, another key principle. But with the government refusing to answer questions, and its representatives openly trying to influence editorial decisions, it got to a point where naming Forssell was the only possible option to protect the public's democratic right to know what's going on. We also can't refrain from reporting the proceedings of parliament. Expressen, Aftonbladet and Svenska Dagbladet all said that the decisive point came when the Left Party called Forssell to testify in front of parliament's social insurance committee about his relative's links to white supremacism. Not reporting on a minister's work and that of the highest democratically elected body in Sweden would be unthinkable. Advertisement This was the decisive point for The Local, too. Additionally, for us, naming Forssell is at this stage the only way we can serve our core audience – foreign residents in Sweden, who are the people most affected by the government's migration reforms – and keep you informed. This is not about the relative. This is about the government, the prime minister and Forssell putting their money where their mouth is – or are we only responsible for our family if we're from abroad and is 'poor conduct' something only immigrants should have to worry about? It's time for the government to come out of hiding, stop downplaying the threat from far-right extremism, and start answering questions.
Local Sweden
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
How Sweden and Denmark could actually make life easier for cross-border workers
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Öresund bridge connecting Copenhagen and Malmö, the prime ministers of both countries pledged to make it easier to live and work across the Swedish-Danish border. The Local Sweden's Deputy Editor, Becky Waterton, has a few ideas. Advertisement I'm a big fan of the Öresund bridge. I literally wrote an article about how much it means to me in The Local a few weeks ago. For those of us here in southern Sweden, it really has connected Sweden and Denmark. A trip to Copenhagen feels less like visiting a foreign country to me than a trip to Stockholm (maybe I've been living in Skåne for too long). Despite this, I am constantly frustrated by the barriers that are still associated with the bridge thanks to the Swedish and Danish governments, whether that's the high cost of crossing it or the border checks on the Swedish side. I'm glad to see the leaders of both countries pledging to do something about this – although the declaration they made seems vague and not legally binding, so I don't have high hopes. So, Ulf Kristersson and Mette Frederiksen, here are some concrete tips for what you could do to improve things for those of us who actually use the bridge. Advertisement Make it cheaper Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan revealed last month that the Öresund bridge is the most expensive bridge crossing per kilometre in the world. The current price for a single crossing in a private car is 510 Danish kroner or 750 Swedish kronor, making it the most expensive bridge toll by some distance. Even train crossings are expensive, with a return ticket from Malmö to Copenhagen costing 300 Swedish kronor (200 Danish kroner) for an adult. A day trip from Malmö to Louisiana for a family with two adults and two children will set you back just shy of 1,000 Swedish kronor (670 Danish kroner), and that's just the cost of transport. The bridge isn't owned by some private company looking to make a quick buck, but it's co-owned by the Danish and Swedish governments who are ultimately responsible for setting the ticket prices. For the past 25 years the argument for the high prices is simple – the bridge was financed by a loan which needs to be paid off. The loan was due to be repaid in 2030, but the two countries have agreed to extend the repayment time to 2050, keep the price high and use the profit from the bridge to finance other infrastructure projects. Another argument for keeping the price high is legal constraints – when the bridge was built, the two sides agreed that they would keep prices competitive with the Helsingborg-Helsingør ferry connection so as not to undercut them. The ferry crossing costs under 100 Swedish kronor (66 kroner) each way for a pedestrian (off-peak prices are as low as 69 kronor/45 kroner) and under 500 kronor (340 kroner) for a car. Surely they could lower the bridge fee to match these, which would still be a significant discount? Create permits for cross-border workers Denmark is crying out for foreign labour, and Skåne has high unemployment – you don't need to be a genius to realise that there's an opportunity to be had by increasing the number of cross-border workers. EU and Nordic citizens can freely work on both sides of the border, living in one country and working in the other. But those of us who are not from the EU who want to work in Denmark and live in Sweden don't just need a residence permit for Sweden, but a work permit for Denmark, too. Even if you already have a work permit in one country you can't just move with it to the other one. Why is this? Cross-border workers are nothing but good news for the country they work in, where they pay tax and contribute to the economy without using any public services. Their kids go to school in their country of residence and they use healthcare there, unlike workers who live and work in the same country. Would it really be so hard to create some form of cross-border permit allowing people to work freely between the two countries on the same terms as EU citizens? Or in any case, better terms than they do currently? Advertisement Simplify bureaucracy between both countries Bureaucracy isn't just an issue for non-EU people looking to make the most of the proximity to another country. Nordic and EU workers travelling between Sweden and Denmark struggle with issues like accessing eID services in both countries, and until recently rules around both countries' instant payment services Mobilepay and Swish meant that these services were unavailable to cross-border workers. Working across a border means navigating two countries' rules when carrying out basic life admin, including issues like pensions, unions, unemployment insurance and parental leave. Especially on the Swedish side, it often feels like cross-border workers are an afterthought for Swedish politicians who don't understand just how much of a benefit the Öresund connection could be if they made the most of it. Get rid of border checks Do you know what else celebrates an anniversary this year? The border checks in Hyllie, the first stop in Sweden, which were introduced for six months back in 2015. Since then, the six month periods have been renewed by successive Swedish governments. These border checks – which nine times out of ten don't even take place – lengthen the travel time of anyone getting the train from Denmark to Sweden by around ten minutes as timetables are set to allow enough time for police to move through the train checking passports. This is a journey that usually takes less than an hour. How would Stockholmers react if the government set up an arbitrary border control stopping the train for ten minutes every time they pass Slussen* that does nothing but delay their commute each morning? Advertisement Develop even more infrastructure to connect the two countries The Öresund bridge is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, but the situation for commuters is still the same as it was back in 2000 (if anything, it's worse, as prices have risen even with inflation taken into account). There's clear local interest in Helsingør and Helsingborg for a tunnel connecting the two countries between those cities, and a potential metro line between Malmö and Copenhagen is also under discussion. However, political discussions over who is paying for what have stalled those projects for years. Another Öresund connection wouldn't just increase collaboration and integration across both sides of the Öresund, but it would also protect the connection between the two countries so that trains, cars and pedestrians would all still be able to cross over if the Öresund bridge was damaged or closed for whatever reason. If Kristersson and Frederiksen are so keen on increased integration between their two countries, that would be a good place to start.
Local Sweden
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
How Sweden can woo American scientists
This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features interviews with Gothenburg politician Axel Darvik and Uppsala University vice chancellor Anders Hagstedt. Advertisement With the Trump administration withdrawing funding from many universities and colleges, a growing number of US-based research professionals are weighing up their alternatives and Sweden is eager to present itself as an irresistible option for anyone setting their sights on Europe. This week we have interviews with two Swedes who are working to attract American academics to Sweden. Earlier this month The Local Sweden's deputy editor Becky Waterton spoke to the Gothenburg politician Axel Darvik from the Liberal Party about why the west coast city would make an excellent new home for American academics looking to relocate. She also caught up with Anders Hagfeldt, the vice chancellor of Uppsala University. He too is keen to attract Americans to what is the oldest university in the Nordic region and one of the most respected. Membership+ subscribers can listen to the interviews in the latest episode of Sweden in Focus Extra, out 23 April. READ ALSO: 'Never waste a good crisis': How Sweden wants to attract US talent fleeing Trump Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcasts 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+ Read more about Membership+ in our help centre. Already have Membership+ but not receiving all the episodes? Go to the podcast tab on your account page to activate your subscription on a podcast platform. If you prefer to listen on the site, you can find all episodes at the bottom of our podcast page.
Local Sweden
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Sweden
Inside Sweden: Northvolt's foreign staff, 'track changes' and... and... atchoo!
Hej, I'm writing this with what is just a cold, but feels more like one of the worst kinds of hangovers from my university days. Is it just me or does everyone have a cold right now? We've had a couple of turbulent weeks on The Local Sweden's editorial team, with me vabbing, Becky going to Brussels, Richard attending the Swedish Journalism Union's annual congress and so on – hopefully we've still managed to bring you the news you need! There's a Swedish word, vabruary or vabruari, which refers to VAB (staying at home to care for a sick child) and the month of February, which is usually when all the winter bugs really hit. But this year they seem to have had a delayed peak. At least spring is now on its way, although I guess readers with pollen allergies will be less than happy about that. It's been a turbulent week for Swedish business as well, after Northvolt filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday. A shocking, albeit not surprising, decision after the events of the past year. When the battery maker announced its layoffs last year, I wrote an opinion piece arguing that Sweden needs to rethink the three-month window laid-off work permit holders have to secure a new job before they're forced to leave Sweden. At the time, a spokesperson for the migration minister said extending the deadline wasn't being considered as an option. The government has so far been reluctant to be drawn on the question of whether or not the three-month deadline might be extended to help keep foreign talent in the country. 'Too early to say,' said Labour Minister Mats Persson. Business Minister Ebba Busch appeared to at least not close the door completely. 'We will return to the rules, they are as they are today, there are some exceptions today regarding the 90 days, but it is an issue that my ministerial colleague Johan Forssell will return to – whether there is reason to change the rules,' she told the Norran newspaper. Migration Minister Johan Forssell has at the time of writing, and as far as I can see, not yet said anything on the matter, but I've sent a request for a comment to his press office. In other news Speaking of talent attraction, The Local's publisher James Savage this week called Forssell out on not inviting a single foreigner to his expert group tasked with working out what might make Sweden more attractive to highly-skilled foreigners. After all, as one reader pointed out in the comments, it would be almost unthinkable for a senior Moderate minister to set up an all-male business council to talk about women's issues. A decision to abolish so-called 'track changes' from April 1st could lead to thousands of former asylum seekers currently on work permits having to leave Sweden. We're getting lots of questions from readers about what exactly this means for them, and have been in touch with the Migration Agency to hopefully interview one of their officials next week. Sweden is planning to ban pupils from having phones in schools. This week's episode of Sweden in Focus Extra for Membership+ subscribers features Katie Dodd Syk, an American in Sweden and co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood Sverige. adding that developments in the US could see it worsen. And speaking of the US, we're asking US citizens what their fellow Americans should consider before moving to Sweden. If that's you, you can still fill out the survey here. A political scandal is looming for Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson after his former national security adviser (and friend) was charged with carelessness with secret information. Do you use Whatsapp? My Swedish friends use Messenger and most of my foreign friends in Sweden use Whatsapp, but I don't know if that's generally true? Whatsapp is threatening to pull out of Sweden if a new law is passed which would allow the police and security services to read even encrypted communication in chat apps and emails. Next week you can start filing your Swedish taxes. To end on a happy and hopeful note, we asked The Local's readers to share what they love most about spring in Sweden and reading their answers brought a smile to my face. Have a good weekend, Emma Löfgren Editor, The Local Sweden
Local Sweden
14-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Local Sweden
Swedish photo of the week: Two flowers wishing us a happy spring
This week's winner is Kalicharan Sethupathy, who sent us the above picture of two spring flowers taken in the Stockholm suburb of Högdalen, following the theme of last week's photo of the week. Follow him on Instagram at kphotos4life. He writes that the "two flowers look like elder and younger sisters wishing us all a nice spring 2025". Would you like to be featured in The Local's photo of the week series? You can submit your entries via email at news@ with the subject "Photo of the week" – or look out for our Facebook post every week on The Local Sweden where you can submit your photo. Please tell us your name so we can credit you as the photographer, and tell us a little bit about the photo and where it was taken. By submitting a photo, you're giving us permission to republish it on The Local's website, our social media and newsletters.
