Sweden holds first civics test for citizenship applicants
Sweden's first citizenship test on civic knowledge was held on Saturday – though how many correct answers will be required to pass has not yet been decided.
Around 1,000 people from across the country gathered at the Stockholmsmässan events and conference centre in Älvsjö, south of Stockholm, to sit the inaugural test.
The rules for acquiring Swedish citizenship were tightened on June 6th this year. Applicants are now required to demonstrate knowledge of both the Swedish language and Swedish society.
The pass mark has not yet been determined, as the test has never been taken before. For the exact same reason, anyone who fails this round will be given a second chance.
"An analysis of the combined test results will need to take place," Dani Backteg, press officer at the Swedish Council for Higher Education, told the TT news agency.
The analysis will be carried out over the autumn, but according to Backteg, further information will be available "shortly".
The Local has previously been told by the Swedish Council for Higher Education that a date for a second civics test has not yet been set, but is unlikely to take place in 2026.
Swedish vocabulary: a test – ett prov
Men with foreign names hit hardest by hiring bias in Sweden
Male job seekers with foreign names are hit harder by discrimination than women, according to a study from Stockholm University.
"This is likely because ethnic stereotypes are generally stronger for men than for women," sociologist Magnus Bygren told TT.
Together with his colleague Moa Bursell, he sent out more than 7,000 fictional job applications for 15 different types of jobs advertised on the Swedish Public Employment Service's jobs board, Platsbanken. Some of the applications were given names from the former Yugoslavia or Arabic names from the Middle East, while the rest carried typical Swedish names.
The study found that in sectors where many foreign-born people already work, surnames did not affect response rates. Cleaning and driving jobs saw no difference at all observed between foreign and Swedish names on applications.
However, for roles such as teachers, preschool teachers and IT technicians, surnames seemed to play a larger role in whether employers would get back to candidates to arrange a job interview or request further information.
Bygren emphasised that discrimination is strongest at the initial stage, during first contact.
"If you just manage to get a foot in the door or land that first meeting, the discrimination decreases."
Data for the study was collected between 2013 and 2018, but he is convinced it reflects the situation today.
"It's important to be aware that these patterns exist, both for people with an immigrant background and on the employer side. People can consciously try not to act on these patterns," he told TT.
Swedish vocabulary: consciously – medvetet
Swimming warning issued in Malmö due to widespread algal bloom
Black flags were raised at all municipal seaside beaches in Malmö on Saturday, as the municipality advised against swimming until further notice.
City council officials carry out regular checks of Malmö's public bathing spots, and the latest inspection revealed algal bloom at every single site.
Not all algal bloom is harmful, but some could contain toxic cyano bacteria. Swallowing the water could cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache or skin irritation.
Children, dogs and people with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Because the algae can shift quickly, it is impossible to say how long the swimming advisory will remain in place.
Malmö residents can keep up to date with current beach advisories on the city council's website.
Swedish vocabulary: algal bloom – algblomning
Voting cards land in inboxes as countdown to Sweden’s election begins
Sweden has begun to issue voting cards ahead of the September 13th election, with voters with a digital mailbox for the first time receiving theirs digitally.
Voters do not need to bring their physical voting car with them when casting their vote, regardless of whether they do so in advance or on election day – ID alone will suffice.
According to the Election Authority, around 6.5 million voters will receive their voting card digitally, while around 2.1 million will get theirs by post as before.
Paper voting cars are being sent out from August 17th and should reach all voters before early voting opens on August 26th.
Those with digital mailboxes will receive their voting cards from August 15th.
All eligible voters should automatically received a voting card.
For Swedes based abroad, voting at embassies, consulates and – in some cases – Ikea stores is set to open on August 20th. This group is already able to vote by post as of July 30th.
To keep up to date with news about the Swedish election, download The Local's app (available on Apple and Android) and select Politics in your Notification options via the User button.
Swedish vocabulary: to bring – att ta med
SMHI issues flood warning for parts of northern Sweden
Sweden's weather agency, SMHI, has issued a yellow warning for flooding covering the area from Piteå to Kalix and inland towards Boden. Heavy rain over the weekend has caused high water levels in streams and rivers.
According to SMHI, there is a risk of flooding along streams, rivers, and in low-lying areas across eastern Norrbotten.
The authority is advising people to check storm drains to ensure water can drain away freely, and warning drivers not to attempt driving through standing water.
The weather warning is in place from Monday August 17th until midnight on August 20th.
Swedish vocabulary: flooding – översvämning