Original subtitles

Good. Søren Ravn is our new candidate.

- I can't stand it here. - You're on your way out of it.

I'm sick and tired of TV1.

- I really want you right now. - See you tomorrow night?

Wednesday may be better.

You had relations with secretaries from the embassy.

- Relations? We flirted. - Flirted? Or more than that?

Søren Ravn will not be running as a candidate for the New Democrats.

- Cell changes? - Precancerous, category three.

You'll need radiation therapy every day for five weeks.

Every day?

"You can fool all the people some of the time,

"and some of the people all the time.

"But you cannot fool all the people all the time."

- Are you still in pain? - A bit.

Tiredness?

Well, I'm not sleeping much at night, 3 or 4 hours.

3-4 hours. That's not enough.

When are you going to stop being brave?

You say I'm not ill.

I've said that you don't have full-blown cancer.

But you had very serious precancerous initial stages.

We don't cut people up or prescribe radiation for no reason.

Have you considered the possibility

of bringing your children or relatives or a friend with you?

It makes the situation much easier.

It's best I cope with this alone.

Hi. There's milk.

Goodness me!

You don't look as if you ever go to the gym.

That's because you haven't seen me undressed.

Feel that. Go on.

Why aren't you at school?

I got a puncture so I'm waiting till next period.

Young man, that's no excuse. Try public transport for once.

You don't skive because of a puncture. And what about you, Laura?

I have a late start on Mondays.

Birgitte really ought to be here too.

I couldn't agree more.

Where was she yesterday evening when she stood me up at the PM's?

I was at a parent-teacher meeting.

Good morning.

And Anita got hold of me from Christiansborg.

She said Hesselboe's negotiations with the Moderates were dragging out.

We do need a few words together. I'm due back there in an hour.

No, Hesselboe has postponed until 11:30, so we have lots of time.

I promised you'd call the two at the top today.

Episode 27 - The Fall

- Birgitte? - Yes?

Managing your diary is not easy. People are asking why you're away.

Is there something we should talk about?

It's just pressure of work.

Family and politics is a tough combination, as you well know.

Torben, did you see my new roster?

Yes.

Good work. Thanks.

Torben!

I know you're receiving my texts.

I know... I'm just not very good at that stuff.

I've so much on my mind. Sorry.

You know what I want. All I get in return is: "It's not a good time."

What you should've said was:

"Sorry but I can't get my head round our relationship right now."

Very cosy, but we've got a meeting.

Of course, I'm coming.

What have we got on today's top story?

Rumour has it that Hesselboe is talking to the New Democrats today.

Odd that Hesselboe is now seeking wider compromises.

- What do the latest polls say? - I've heard no election rumours.

- Me neither. - And he's got 15 months to go.

The latest poll gives the government 50.5% with the Freedom Party.

But it'd make sense to talk about how we'll plan our election coverage.

- Pia, that's right up your street. - What about the government talks?

Simon, nip over to Borgen.

I waited for five hours last night. Now we've been waiting for two.

It's the PM's privilege.

- Hello, sorry to keep you waiting. - That's quite all right.

Difficult negotiations take time.

Shall we?

The international debt crisis means we need a robust stabilisation plan.

Any intervention in the banks is out of the question.

And there can be no public investment in green energy for 7 or 8 years.

So the New Democrats won't be able to leave their mark on the compromise.

It's a very sensible compromise.

- There'd be pride in signing it. - It's not an autograph collection.

I can't offer you any more than I already have.

Which is nothing!

- Why are you leaving the talks? - There were no talks.

- You're not part of the compromise? - We did not agree.

- You agree more with the opposition? - Yes, indeed.

Also on the green growth package, even if the Labour Party might not?

Let's wait and see.

- We hear they might renege? - No comment.

- Now, if you'll excuse me. - What the hell's going on?

- Glad I caught you. - I've got a minute.

Is the Labour Party conducting talks with the government?

Are you giving up the green growth plan?

We're keeping our options open.

I hope you exact a high price.

Give me a break, Birgitte.

If Hesselboe wants a wider compromise, it has to cost him.

If you give way, you risk splitting the opposition.

You aren't PM any more, are you, Birgitte? And I don't work for you.

Your party has 3 seats. Mine has 45.

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Hi, kiddo. Oh, I've missed you.

I saw Birgitte and Jon Berthelsen making a getaway from the press.

"No comment."

It's the same as admitting that she hasn't got her shit under control.

She did very well in an impossible situation.

No need to put your professional face on with me.

Unlike you, I mean what I say.

Rumour has it that she's not been very accessible.

Is something going on?

- Does she tell you everything? - Did she tell you everything?

If she means you can't do your job, you must insist on being informed.

- Thanks. - You're out of loo paper.

- Is there anything else? - Bye, kiddo. Daddy loves you.

- Say bye to daddy. Bye-bye. - See you.

- Birgitte speaking. - When will you be at Borgen?

- Are the others there? - Jon is. Nete and Erik will be soon.

I forgot to tell you but actually I have a dental appointment.

Oh, right, OK. We'll see you later. Bye.

The new turtle doves of Danish Politics.

The debate can begin in a moment,

but, before that, the PM has an announcement

of a special nature.

"Of a special nature"?

We've been through a pretty turbulent time...

- Ulrik Mørch. - Torben? Check this out.

It's Christiansborg.

In recent weeks,

the government has been trying to arrive at a mutual understanding

of the serious economic situation facing the country.

However, we've not succeeded.

It is vital to have a wider coalition behind our stabilisation plan.

I have therefore asked Her Majesty

to call a general election to take place on 8th November.

I don't believe it. Not now, damn it!

- Order in the house! - He decided weeks ago.

We must get hold of Birgitte.

A new draft for the rest of the day on my desk in 20 minutes. OK?

We'll extend the news, both the 6 o'clock and the 8:30. Pia, wait!

Ulrik, you're hosting the extra news in 20 minutes, all right?

Henrik? Call Simon and Martin at Borgen, or whoever's there.

Louise? Phone Mikkel.

Tell him to set up the election studio for "Meet The Parties".

All leave and time off is hereby suspended.

Pia, plan tonight's party leader panel debate.

- But those other plans... - We'll use Studio 8, new graphics.

Dan, don't let TV2 steal the best cameramen.

We're booking all the wireless kit we can get, too.

Pia? Phone Miro and book those big OB units.

- I can't get hold of Birgitte. - She is at the dentist's.

Call her daughter Laura. It's force majeure.

It's Ulrik. We'd like to see Birgitte on TV1 at 8:00.

Can I call you back?

I hope Hesselboe didn't catch you lot with your pants down.

We're also fucked. Big time.

Miro wants 100,000 a day for the big OB truck.

- Last time we got it for 70,000. - Shall I turn them down?

Here's an update on the party leader debate.

We haven't heard from Hesselboe yet.

Thorsen and Nyborg will call back.

- Torben, have you got a moment? - Of course...

It's so cool to see you running this show. Major respect.

I want you to know I'm behind you 100% for the election campaign.

Promise me one thing. TV1 will beat TV2 in the election.

We have credibility, but this time it'll be no good

if anyone's left feeling we're the best but we lost the ratings war.

This year we've got to make the best TV and get the most viewers.

We'll win this election.

We will win this election.

Indeed.

- Have a good war. - Thank you, Alex.

Hi, Pia.

TV2 booked Hesselboe and Thorsen for a live duel from Borgen.

They want to make it like a presidential race.

It means our party leader debate will look different from theirs.

But Hesselboe and Thorsen can't get here till 21:30.

9:30 is when TV2 show Masterquiz.

We'll be totally slaughtered.

- Can we schedule it after that? - 10:00pm? That's no good.

I've got five parties on the phone.

We've got to have a debate.

We'll postpone it till tomorrow. Tell them to come at 8:00.

What about tonight?

A duel between the number twos from each side?

- Yvonne Kjær... - Versus Carsten from the Greens.

Everybody was taken aback by the snap election

Lars Hesselboe has called well over a year earlier than expected.

Tactically, it's being seen as a very shrewd move.

Mum?

- Mum? - What is it?

- Have you been asleep all day? - No, I lay down five minutes ago.

So you've heard the news? That they've called an election?

The major arterial roads, central Copenhagen and the major cities.

- Sorry to be so late. - I'll call you back.

I heard all your messages.

I'm fine with TV1 tonight for the party leader debate.

It's been cancelled.

TV2 is putting on a presidential duel.

TV1 is keeping the party leader panel for tomorrow.

So we aren't going on screen at all this evening?

Right. Listen up, everyone.

We have 20 days and 19 hours to campaign.

We currently have 24 candidates. We need a few more.

Preferably 10 or 15, that should do it.

- And then there's funding. - Jon and I have a plan.

- We have 8-900,000 in the kitty. - That's not much.

We need a million on top of that.

Jon, what about Jørgen Steen Andersen?

- I'm waiting for his call. - Splendid. And posters?

Liberal Youth had a head start, of course.

The government parties have bought the best placings in the press.

We'll just have to be creative.

Jacob Kruse, any approaches from the Labour Party?

I can't see what the left wing has to offer.

So these rumours that the Moderates don't know who to back for PM...

We're backing Lars Hesselboe.

- Hesselboe has bought Kruse. - He knows how to play the game.

He has 102 seats. He can see his majority.

And he can split the opposition.

- He's been preparing for months. - They've got massive funding.

They've a head start and we're playing catch-up. So be it.

Hesselboe and Kruse together can crush us.

Kruse's just made the stupidest mistake.

He's buried the Moderates by accepting the Freedom Party.

Let's prioritise what we want to put across.

The major issue will the economy.

Everything must be fully funded with a pronounced green profile.

It's a huge task to draw up a new economic policy.

We could do with help.

What about Søren Ravn?

Maybe he'd be prepared to help with the campaign as a consultant.

As long as I'm economic spokesman.

But with his exit from the party, will he be interested?

Yes, but this is an election. Will you ask him?

Yes... Fine.

The snap election caught the opposition with its pants down.

- Also a couple of news desks. - Oh, I doubt that!

- Let's look at the opposition. - This graphic shows Solidarity.

And the Greens with their new chairman, Carsten Bjerre.

All we know about him is that his heart beats for endangered species.

And the Labour Party, the strongest opposition party.

Can Thorsen make himself into a credible candidate for PM?

And finally, we have the New Democrats.

They face an uphill battle.

If they get in, who will Birgitte Nyborg back for PM?

Everything should be there. It's great that you can take him.

It's not going to be a regular thing.

Mum can't make it till Monday.

I have quite a bit to see to, as well.

Did they give you an extra little programme to do?

You know what being a special advisor is like.

I heard you were a bit reticent about the party leader debate call?

- I couldn't get hold of Birgitte. - Spin doctors say yes.

You need all the screen time you can get.

- That's the only thing that counts. - I must go. Bye, baby.

I'll text when I can pick him up.

- Tomorrow! - Spin doctors say yes.

If you can't get hold of me on this, try my other number: 71-324-343.

Yes, I have two phones for the duration of the campaign.

Catch you later, right? Yes. Bye.

Dad's gone for a run, but he'll be back soon.

Are you at high school?

- Is it the election? - I'd better wait for your dad.

- Supper in 30 minutes! - Dad?

Birgitte Nyborg asked me to contact you.

I'm not running for parliament.

Will you start supper?

The New Democrats need to...

draw up a clear, visionary economic policy.

We need you to finish the work you started.

I can't get involved again.

I've just started a major new research project.

It's taking up all my time. Sorry.

Could you help Birgitte before she goes on TV1 tomorrow?

A couple of hours, that's all?

- The Labour Party created... - You have no credible alternatives.

- Please don't interrupt. - We created the welfare state...

- Our fundamental values... - That is what I mean, Thorsen.

- Thorsen's taking a beating. - So are we.

We can't compete after the quiz. We'll be slaughtered.

The election doesn't end tonight. We'll do a fantastic debate tomorrow.

- Katrine Fønsmark. - Hi, it's Pia.

We have a few ideas for our election coverage

that we'd like to run past you.

We want to follow the party leaders round the clock, using GPS.

Via our website, viewers can track their exact whereabouts.

That sounds like fun. A resounding yes from us.

After all, we need all the screen time we can get.

Catch you later.

Good morning, Nete.

Birgitte, all the odds and probabilities say

that the people who survive a pathway like this

are the ones who involve their families.

My children know nothing about the operation and radiation therapy.

It's my problem and I'll deal with it.

The most important things I've achieved in my life

have been against all the odds and probabilities.

I need medicine that can keep me on my feet 15-16 hours a day.

I need to be able to think clearly. The pain's too great right now.

- The next three weeks will be hell. - We've been there before.

I need to ask for a bit of space, right?

Space?

I'm going to be working round the clock.

I think I'll just crash out in the news department.

No, Torben, forget it.

You come home to sleep even if it's just for ten minutes.

- But... - I'll put up with a lot.

But you sleep at home.

If we only see you for 2 minutes, that's what we'll get.

You can manage that. Even during an election. Yes?

Remember what the counsellor said. Proper goodbyes.

I get an MMS at 23:52

telling me I've got 8 minutes to approve the photo for a poster.

- It's a great photo. - I look like a grump.

That's what you look like, Erik.

- I've got new glasses now. - Just get the old ones out again.

TV1 want to follow the leading candidates 24/7.

The journalists will be given GPS transmitters.

Viewers can follow the party chairmen on the TV1 website at any time.

- Cool! - How fancy!

I'm not having a journalist shadowing me constantly.

They'll just stay in the vicinity,

and we'll have access to a journalist at all times.

Yes, but I don't want that.

- It'll be a huge advantage for us. - I don't think so.

This is the wrong decision...

You can't simply approve a journalist leaning on me 24 hours a day.

- You've never minded journalists. - It's vulgar.

There's an election on!

- I'm doing my job. - And I'm your boss. Say no.

We'll talk about more coverage later. When is Ravn due?

After you've met the other opposition parties.

Are we really going to use the traditional set-up

with the right wing on the right, the left wing on the left?

Let's put the main opponents closer together.

But this is not a presidential duel.

It's amateurish to line up people according to who'll fight most.

- Have you seen the ratings? - Yes.

- The debate was a disaster. - That quiz on TV2 is untouchable.

The people who actually decided

to watch the political debate on TV1 didn't like what they saw.

You scored 3.4 on quality. That's not much.

Have you seen how TV2 think out of the box?

They invent the narrative, they invent demand.

They invented demand for a duel yesterday.

They invented a narrative about a presidential election.

This is Denmark. We have eight parties.

Yes, but he who invents the stories is the one they choose to watch.

They're the ones who pay you to make TV.

Give them something they want to watch.

If you make stuff they rate at 3.4, you're letting down the viewers,

the station, and in the final analysis, me.

- What do you want me to do? - Whatever you like.

Just give me a good story.

And show me you want to win the election.

Alex speaking. Hi there!

Good of you to call.

No, I've just been dealing with a staff issue.

When do you want it by? That's not possible.

So now we have to do it

better and faster and for half the money?

We tend to be very traditional with these election broadcasts.

The camera work, the lighting, the sets and the direction, Pia.

- What's wrong with my direction? - You tend to be Goody-Two-Shoes.

Aren't I superficial or modern enough?

We have to win this election.

Dan, boys, help me, eh?

Let's think out of the box.

Dan, how many times have we used this set?

- This is the third or fourth time. - Precisely.

And every time, you say you'd prefer a straight line.

It'll mean much better visuals.

They'll have to lean forwards to see each other and fight their corner.

Let's use the drama.

We'll put them in one long line.

Lindenkrone, Saltum, they may even get into a fight.

Yes, we're not here to please them.

The opposition needs a joint declaration on the economy.

- Our four parties are very unalike. - So this is urgent.

We may not have time to draw up a joint economic policy.

But we can at least present a shared ambition during the debate tonight.

Do excuse me.

It's me. I'm in a meeting.

I think you should do the economy tonight, Birgitte.

Thorsen may be the leader of the opposition,

but on these issues... Thorsen is vacillating.

I agree.

Right then.

Right, where were we?

Keeping busy?

Hi, Katrine, good to see you.

We've asked all the press officers in

to brief you all on how we intend to conduct the election.

We appreciate it and we're looking forward to tonight's debate.

- As regards the GPS thing... - It won't be ready till tomorrow.

Sadly, Birgitte has to say no to being followed by 24 hours a day.

Say no? It's a gift for all the smaller parties.

- Why? - Privacy.

Oh, give me a break. Privacy? There's an election on!

The other parties have all agreed to this GPS thing so it's going ahead.

If you say no, you won't be given a pet journalist 24 hours a day.

I'd find it super aggravating if I were you.

Anything else?

I don't think so.

If we want to talk to Birgitte Nyborg, we'll call you. Don't call us.

We look forward to your call. Thanks.

That's not how we talk to people, Torben.

- What's up? - Birgitte vetoed the GPS idea.

I just told Torben, who has now cut us out of the election.

Sit down, Katrine.

No election was ever won because of some TV gimmick.

Birgitte's a winner. She is the strongest candidate of them all.

She's the best politician in the field.

So just get her into that studio tonight.

I promise you she'll handle the rest.

The green profile...

I presume you still want it for your economic policy?

There are quite a few economic analyses now

showing that green taxes are not a negative burden.

Actually I have a way of shaping them

so that they don't affect distribution unfairly.

The first column shows the percentage...

Tell you what, I can see that.

Let's keep it at that, clear, simple headings. That's fine.

But you have to look at how green charges affect competitiveness.

I propose a compensation scheme. Companies who cut CO2 emissions...

That's more than enough for me.

I'll only get the microphone 3 or 4 times so headlines will have to do.

Let's leave the details till after the debate.

You underestimate your own importance in this debate.

The TV stations are moving away from just giving people 20 seconds.

Can I take this with me?

I really appreciate your input, Søren.

I hope we can draw on your expertise another time.

I'm going home for a couple of hours. See you at the studio.

Sorry, I must've misunderstood what we were trying to achieve.

As a former PM, the lady must know what she's talking about.

Let's hope so.

But... it was lovely to see you again.

Good evening. Good evening, Svend Åge. Good evening, Yvonne.

There? No, no, no. I always stand third from the right.

But this year we're not using the classic right-left set up.

Lindenkrone, Svend Åge, Birgitte Nyborg, Kruse,

Hesselboe, Thorsen. Yvonne, Carsten Bjerre.

You'll have to change it!

Tell her no, Ulrik.

You're looking fabulous. Really! So go and stand over there.

That was trashy, Ulrik, but it worked.

You're really hot, Birgitte. Did you run all the way?

Have you still got that no-shine cream?

Me, I never sweated!

I've got a new kind. I'll go and get it.

Are you feeling all right?

Yes, thanks.

This stuff is amazing. You could work out for an hour and nobody'd notice.

- It's not right! - Look at Saltum.

- What's he doing with that lectern? - Put that down!

- I can't see anyone. - But we can see you.

You'll be standing in a straight line.

- Hi, Birgitte. - Hi, Torben.

- Where do I go? - Right there.

- Quiet, please! - Ten seconds, Ulrik.

I just want to follow the battle.

You can sit there.

Welcome to the TV1 party chairman debate.

Rumour has it

that you may not all be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Anne Sophie Lindenkrone, what have you got in common with Nyborg?

- Magnus, mum's on! - I'll just finish this game.

More than I'll ever have in common with Hesselboe.

And Birgitte Nyborg.

Can you confirm your unalloyed loyalty to the opposition?

Our candidate for PM is also Hans Christian Thorsen.

- That's a really great line-up. - Three on Carsten Bjerre.

Carstten Bjerre?

Hesselboe, if we continue to delay on CO2 quotas,

one day there won't be anyone left to delay for.

But who is to finance them, Carsten? Be so kind as to tell the electorate.

The right hang their ethics and principles in the hallway

every single time the housekeeping budget is affected.

Principles?

New Democrat economic policy has a consistent green profile.

We want to improve competitiveness too.

But you can't delay environmental taxes just because of the crisis.

We want to hear about the arithmetic, please.

I've heard you all. Birgitte Nyborg?

Denmark's competitiveness will be improved

if we lower prices abroad.

How does that hang together with higher green taxes?

You are oversimplifying.

The electorate will stand together

to ensure a more sustainable world for our children, and...

You will increase the costs of production.

- How is industry to be compensated? - Let her answer.

- And two. - Birgitte Nyborg?

Green products automatically command higher prices.

In the West, the critical political consumer is a major component...

So industry should compensate for green taxes by putting its prices up?

It's not that simple, but it's a bit too complicated to explain here...

Ulrik, take charge.

You've just told us that you're not scared of complicated issues.

Please tell us how competitiveness is improved by higher prices?

Yes, but aren't there other important issues in this election?

- A tax reform... - I'll do my job, you do yours.

I choose the subjects, you answer the questions.

- Quite right, Ulrik. - That sounds very fair.

I'll try to do my job, then.

An excellent question by the way.

Revenues from green taxes will not merely benefit the treasury.

They will enable necessary investment in infrastructure.

Right now thousands of managers and company owners

have just learned they'll have to pay increased environmental charges.

Please explain how they can become more competitive

if producing their goods becomes more costly?

- Millions will come back to them. - Millions or billions?

- Billions, of course. - It isn't just a tiny detail.

This is an election.

We don't want Svend Åge Saltum to say this is just a cosy little chat.

I'll happily say that!

- She seems very unsure of herself. - So, show us the sums.

I'm sure our viewers and Danish industry all want to see them.

The exact calculations are not that simple.

No, they're complicated. But now's your chance.

No! We can't do this, Torben!

Let her answer the question.

We're all agog.

Naturally, we are not going to reduce competitiveness

without compensating industry.

We'll do so via a transparent tariff system...

- It doesn't sound transparent to me. - Can we get a word in?

We're waiting, Birgitte Nyborg.

I can't take up all the time.

She's been put through enough. Let's move on, Torben.

- This isn't good enough. - Move on.

Birgitte Nyborg is not the only one who'll be made to sweat tonight.

Lars Hesselboe?

I'd like to comment on Birgitte Nyborg's words...

And... stand by, Continuity.

We've made a start.

I think we scored some important points.

I did tread water a bit, but...

It's been a long day.

We'll discuss it tomorrow.

I think it was brilliant to have them in one long line.

What brings you here?

I hear our head of programmes was in this room during the broadcast.

And that he dictated editorial decisions.

No, he did not. Alex is a new boy. It was fair to let him watch.

Parts of the programme were completely below the belt.

- You want us to serve as a pillory? - She's a former prime minister.

Not a new girl in class. Or shouldn't she be challenged?

That was as much public service as pulling the wings off a fly.

I don't see how someone with your experience could direct like that!

I don't agree with you, Hanne.

A completely unprepared senior politician breaks down on air.

Emotion, drama, great TV.

- It's in bad taste. - Maybe we went a bit far.

But we have set the political agenda for tomorrow.

We should be proud of it. I am, at any rate.

Sleep on it. We'll discuss it tomorrow.

See you.

Hanne is absolutely right.

If that's how you and Alex want it, do it yourself.

I'm sorry.

You didn't even open the sweets.

Have you finished in there?

- Is Magnus asleep? - Yes.

Mum, I turned it off.

It can get a bit dull, the economics stuff.

What's the matter?

Why don't we ever talk?

We do!

- You don't talk to me. - Darling, I do.

TOE-CURLING BIRGITTE NYBORG HUMILIATED

NEW DEMOCRATS IN FREE-FALL

NYBORG HUMILIATED. IS SHE OUT OF DANISH POLITICS?

I was such an idiot.

I should've made sure she was properly prepared.

The first day and my party leader gets blown to smithereens!

I have no idea what to do.

Next time, she'd better be a bit more specific.

Of course. But...

We showed that we couldn't provide a clear economic policy.

But I can.

I just told the university not to count on me for the next three weeks.

Why?

I don't know... I must love lost causes.

I started with communism, after all, didn't I?

See you tomorrow.

- Morning, darling. - Good morning.

- I've got us breakfast. - But I've just had an apple.

Please sit down, will you? Magnus, are you nearly ready?

- Look, I've got breakfast. - OK. I have got to get to school.

You can miss the first lesson today.

There's something I ought to have told you ages ago.

I just couldn't.

And it upsets me because I don't like keeping secrets from you.

But now I'm going to have to tell you.

The doctors found some cell changes in one of my breasts.

It turned out to be precancerous.

They've taken it away, Magnus, the dangerous bit.

But I haven't been going to the gym in the morning.

Actually, I have been having radiation therapy in hospital.

So they can get everything. And I still am.

It means that I'm not ill.

But I'm not in top form, either. I'm not particularly... I'm tired.

Sometimes very, very tired.

And I know you've been able to tell.

Baby... Hey!

- But it's gone. - But it's gone, yes.

And I'll be fine again.