Sweden aims to boost overseas vote in 2026 election
The Swedish election is fast approaching, and today, voting cards are being sent out to more than 210,000 Swedes who are eligible to vote from abroad.
Swedish voters living abroad could prove crucial in this autumn's election, as Swedish polls tend to be tight races.
Earlier this year, the government tasked the Election Authority with expanding its outreach to Swedes abroad in a bid to boost their turnout.
"In the spring, we sent letters to around 82,000 Swedes abroad who had dropped off the electoral register to urge them to sign up again. We have also created a guide on val.se for Swedes abroad and an information campaign targeting overseas Swedes, which kicks off at the end of July," said Annica Sundel, a manager at the Election Authority.
On average, just over 30 percent of the some 210,000 Swedes living abroad usually cast their ballot.
Digital voting cards have also been introduced, and the number of overseas polling stations has been expanded to nearly 300, with extended opening hours.
Swedes living abroad can either vote early at embassies and consulates around the world or vote by post. According to the Election Authority, the most common mistake people make is failing to follow the instructions carefully enough when filling out their overseas voting cards.
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In the 2022 election, 13 percent of postal votes were disqualified due to formal errors, such as missing signatures from the voter or witnesses.
"We also see that votes can arrive too early, but also too late, meaning they don't make it to the count in time. It also happens that not all the information has been filled in," said Sundel.
Voting cards and ballot papers must be posted no earlier than July 30th.
Swedish vocabulary: Swedes abroad – utlandssvenskar
Swedish telecom giant blocks 21 million spoof calls in six months
Enhanced security measures, including a new blocking feature, combined with an expanded industry-wide effort against fraud, may have resulted in a decline in scam calls across Telia's network during the first half of the year.
The number of fraudulent calls in Telia's network dropped by nearly 33 percent in the first half of 2026. During this period, the company blocked approximately 21 million suspected scam calls, which is ten million fewer than the same period last year, Telia stated in a press release.
"We are seeing a clear reduction in the number of fraud calls in our network, which is a positive sign. It indicates that our protective measures, alongside the industry's joint efforts, are making this type of crime more difficult and less profitable," said Amanda Landqvist, head of fraud management at Telia.
Have you ever fallen victim to fraud calls or emails in Sweden? Our editorial team would love to hear from you. Email news@thelocal.se to share your story.
Swedish vocabulary: fraud – bedrägeri
Danish police looking for witnesses to fatal World Cup attack on Swedish fan
Danish police are investigating a fatal attack on a Swedish football fan at a live screening of a World Cup match at Islands Brygge on June 30th. The 32-year-old man was punched in the jaw or neck and fell to the ground, later dying in hospital of his injuries on Saturday.
On Monday, police said that they are still working to clarify the details of the case.
"That also includes whether there are other suspects," police told the Ritzau news wire.
A 31-year-old is in custody on suspicion of punching the Swede, but police are now calling for witnesses to the event at Islands Brygge to come forward.
"If there are any witnesses who saw the incident or have information about the case, we would like to hear from them. You can contact police on 114 or send us a tip via politi.dk," police told Ritzau.
Danish courts have put a naming ban in place for the 31-year-old suspect and the 32-year-old victim. That also includes publishing photographs or other details which could identify them.
Swedish vocabulary: a witness – ett vittne
Several blood types urgently needed in Gothenburg and Malmö
Two of Sweden's most populous regions are calling on blood donors to urgently help them replenish their banks.
Blood supplies are running low in Sweden's second and third biggest cities, Gothenburg and Malmö.
"The situation is serious," said Anna Wiberg, chief physician for transfusion medicine in the Västra Götaland region, which is home to Gothenburg, in a statement.
"When blood stocks get too low, large parts of the healthcare system are affected," she said.
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The region is in short supply of blood types A and O, both negative and positive, as well as AB negative.
Because it is the peak summer holiday season, fewer people are donating blood. If levels continue to fall, planned surgeries may have to be postponed, according to Wiberg.
The situation is even worse in Skåne, home to Malmö, where there is an "acute shortage" of blood types O and A negative, according to the blood centre network Geblod.
Swedish vocabulary: a blood type – en blodgrupp
Hay fever alert: High grass pollen levels forecast across Sweden
There's a high risk of high grass pollen levels across most of Sweden over the coming days, and mugwort pollen levels are now also expected to start rising.
The pollen alert, especially during dry spells, applies to the whole of Götaland and Svealand, as well as the Norrland coast, according to Pollenrapporten, a site run by the Swedish Museum of Natural History.
The risk of high levels is also elevated in a belt stretching from Härjedalen and Jämtland up towards Norrbotten.
Pollen counts are increasing generally across the country in areas close to tall grass. Rain showers will lower the levels from time to time, but as soon as the sun breaks through, they rise rapidly, according to the site.
Mugwort is also now beginning to flower, and there may be a small local risk of high counts, primarily in the south.
The current forecast applies until Wednesday.
Swedish vocabulary: mugwort – gråbo