Original subtitles

We have to go for more than six seats.

The Moderates are betraying everything they once stood for.

Someone has to fight for those principles since you won't do so.

- Torben... time to wake up. - Don't touch me.

- Why don't you come home? - I love you.

- Ever been on that? - No.

It sails right past your work.

This is getting to be a habit.

Emma, my daughter.

Would you join a government?

It is quite possible.

- Where is the set? - I binned it, Alex.

I didn't like it.

- It's irresponsible... - Voters don't know what they'll get.

Hi Torben, Please report to me at 9am tomorrow. Regards, Alex.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity,

but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Election day. The polling stations are being prepared across Denmark.

4 million Danes have the vote. How many will exercise that right?

Thousands of officials are preparing to open the doors.

Ls Denmark going to get a new government?

- Aren't you having anything? - Of course.

I'm a bit on edge. It's election day.

And I am putting yogurt in my tea. I am bonkers today. Ignore it.

The latest polls

give the New Democrats 12 seats, the Moderates, 7.

You wiped the floor with Kruse yesterday. Surely...

- You'll back Thorsen, right? - We need seats to have influence.

Are you coming to the polling station?

- Is Jeremy coming? - It's a bit too official for that.

Mum, your ear ring.

Thanks.

- Breast surgery department. - This is Birgitte Nyborg.

I phoned earlier about a new lump in my breast.

Mogens Winther is still in surgery. I'll ask him to call you.

Episode 30 - Election

Kasper Juul,

we all saw Jacob Kruse's unfortunate outburst last night.

Why isn't it reflected in the polls?

The polls we are reading now were conducted before the panel debate.

But Kruse's outburst is in all the papers this morning.

We can't do any more now.

You can have a good breakfast for once.

- Soft-boiled? - Hard-boiled.

OK?

My daughter came home last night.

Have you seen my...

She knows about you.

Take a deep breath and come out and have some breakfast.

Red or blue? It's probably Thorsen's last stand.

TV1 will be following the election live from Borgen.

Torben, you have not been cooperating.

And last night you countermanded a direct order.

Alex Hjorth recommends that we terminate your contract forthwith.

You will be paid a year's salary in return for non-disclosure.

Do you hear me?

Please clear your desk immediately and leave your computer behind.

(Danish Journalism Prize)

Torben, didn't you tell TV2 "no" to having their man in the control room?

I've been sacked.

You what?

I'll get back to you.

Listen, please, I have an important announcement.

Unfortunately, Torben Friis has been dismissed without notice.

- It is election day. - Yes. I know it's bad timing.

Torben left us no choice. But luckily you're professionals...

- What are your hopes? - For a high turn-out.

And a good result for the New Democrats.

- Do you want her back as an MP? - If I were 18, I'd vote for her.

You can't be serious. No! You can't campaign there!

Not right next to the polling station!

- The youth chairman. - We don't want a scandal today!

Were these party gob stoppers your idea?

They taste surprisingly nice.

An old man handing them out to innocent children in the square?!

Give me a break! Jon refused to hand them out because they're not organic.

- We need to move 150,000 votes. - I need to stay out of gaol.

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Hold it, please.

Hi, Nadja, Jon has just been on breakfast TV and now he's on R1.

Yes?

I'll tell her. Thanks. Bye.

I had to go home for a change of clothing.

That was not OK.

I am too old to have to explain it to my kids.

Is the problem me having grown-up kids?

Being 20 years older than you?

Maybe.

You realise we are being totally post-modern about it?

- I am a country girl. - Oh, that explains it.

Søren, it's not that I... don't think...

I am tremendously fond of you.

But it's election time and everything is crazy.

It's been more than that.

Hasn't it?

I'm sorry.

OK... we've had the conversation.

No need to avoid me.

- Keep it pithy. Sound bites... - About the party leader panel...

TV2 want their man in the OB unit.

We always produce the panel when the results are in.

But now TV2 want their man in. We'll have two voices in our ears.

It's absurd.

- Didn't Torben say no? - He tried.

You'll have me and Pia in your ear. We'll back you up.

You are not a journalist.

No, but I do know about TV. That is why I am here.

And it'll be mainly Pia's show.

- So no worries. - You'll let TV2 in?

It's great idea.

It'll give us the chance to end earlier than TV2.

You cannot be serious.

- I am quite serious. - Not for fucking real.

Leave it out.

- End before the panel is over? - You wouldn't understand.

- I know my job. - Oh, do you?

All the statistics show

that people watch the party leaders for first 15 minutes.

Then they quit.

If TV1 signs off while there are still lots of viewers,

we'll win the election in terms of the number of viewers.

Shall I say it again?

That's it for now. Hello? No, it's just a staff issue.

- I can't direct with Alex there. - I can't have two voices in my ear.

We can't let a non-journalist decide when to end the programme.

Nice to know your flirt is over.

I played squash with him. That's all.

- Something's got to be done. - Who can do anything now?

We can.

Excuse us. Hi, Anders. This won't take a minute.

We simply do not see how you can sack Torben Friis on election day.

We don't dispute your right to dismiss him, but the timing.

But to remove the captain and ignore who is in the control room!

If Alex Hjorth is to take the helm,

a man with absolutely no experience of the job

we will not be held responsible.

It will be without us.

Have you voted? I hope you'll make the time.

Hi! Will you give me your autograph?

- What if I don't vote for you? - What matters is that you vote.

- Why? - Just a moment.

I've got to answer this. Don't move!

- It's Dr Winther. - You've got to see me today.

- I can fit you in at 1 o'clock. - Thank you.

Stop the car!

There. Yes.

No, that's not a lump.

- But I can feel it! - No.

It's just lymphatic fluid around the surgical scar

in connection with radiation therapy.

- Mogens, it's a lump! - No, Birgitte, it's fluid.

But I can feel it!!

What are you doing?

Removing what you think is a lump...

Right.

Have a feel.

- It's gone. - Yes. Your treatment is over.

You've had a shock. It's election day. Your nerves are jangling.

Try to take things completely easy, just for the next couple of hours.

And remember to breathe!

That's right.

Right down into your tummy.

Treat yourself.

Spend time with someone you love.

Thank you.

I have never been in love with Pia. I haven't.

I was attracted by her, yes. But...

She just thought I was fantastic.

I always thought you were fantastic. But you were never there.

No. I wasn't.

I admit that I'm the one who's screwed everything up.

I am sorry.

But I miss you.

All I want is to be with you and the kids.

I know I don't in any way deserve it.

I just want my wife back again.

- Go on, answer it. - Let's just go home.

Yes?

Really?

Yes? Bye.

That was TV1's chief executive.

"Ulrik and Hanne will quit if you don't come do election night".

There is always something more important than us two, Torben.

I think we should just go home.

I need you.

Run along! It's election day!

Hi... Hi, kids, great to see you.

Hi, mummy dear...

Ghastly kids!

- We've blown up at least a thousand. - Jolly well done!

And the day's first exit poll...

The Liberals are stable but Labour have fallen back slightly.

The New Democrats have made slight gains and may win 8 or 9 seats.

But the Moderates are stable on 10 or 11 seats.

But this may change. Voters are floating more than ever...

300,000 Danes may switch allegiances during the day.

Torben! Old boy!

We were just beginning to realise how much we need you.

- I know we can be annoying. - Yes.

But right now let's make good TV. A quick briefing. Pia? Where are we?

We're still getting aggro from TV2.

Here he is again.

Torben Friis speaking. I'll be brief. You and I have a clear agreement.

One man alone will be calling the shots tonight, and his name...

Yes, exactly. See you.

Shall we?

I am about to vote. I'm going to vote for Jon.

Katrine, you mustn't tell me that!

Turn off your phone and vote.

And now we fold it...

- Shall I help? - Yes.

There...

Jacob Kruse's outburst

and criticism of the Moderates' economic policy

seems to be swaying core Moderate votes

according to the latest exit polls.

This afternoon the distribution of seats has started shifting.

The Liberals still lead but Solidarity are gaining,

while the New Democrats are making headway

and the Moderates are losing ground.

I hope you made it to the polling station in time.

- The polling stations have closed. - Off we go, kids.

The first results will be ready in a couple of minutes.

- Hi! - How are we doing?

Quite a long way from real influence.

The first constituencies are reporting in now.

They confirm the trend set by the very first exit polls.

The Moderates are losing out to the New Democrats.

Five minutes till the first arrivals at Borgen.

Back in a minute.

It's great to have you back, Torben.

Thank you. I've been wanting to tell you for a while...

I think you're fantastic.

But the time with the two of us was a real mess. I am sorry.

But it's no longer you or me.

I love my wife and children.

I am sorry if I made you think otherwise.

I meant it more in professional terms that it was good you were back.

Word is going round that Alex Hjorth has quit.

Bully for him.

- Simon, can you hear Dan? - We're ready and waiting.

Hanne, your scarf is crooked.

We'll have the complete results in ten minutes.

The New Democrats

look as if they'll win 12 seats.

- How many do you need? - For decisive influence?

We are only one seat short.

- We don't know how it'll end. - It'll end well!

We are in double figures, damn it!

We may just end up with the casting vote.

If we do, my greatest ambition is a new government.

What does Denmark need? A new government!

Politics must be realigned towards the centre.

Here's to the New Democrats!

Over to Christiansborg where Svend Åge Saltum has just arrived.

- You've lost two seats. - I say whoops-a-daisy.

You can't get rid of us that easily.

We almost have the full results.

The Liberals have had a really good election.

The big winners are Birgitte Nyborg and the New Democrats

with 13 seats.

Well done everyone!

You've smashed the Moderates. You own the centre.

Work this out. Solidarity have made huge gains.

The Moderates have had the worst result in their history.

Thorsen is already saying he wants to meet, and so does Hesselboe.

We'll be getting some crazy offers tonight.

We have five taxis waiting downstairs.

What kind of parliament are we going to get, Torben Friis?

One that will find it hard to ignore Birgitte Nyborg.

Neither bloc has a majority without her.

The New Democrats are the centre party now.

We're outside Christiansborg.

- Give dad my love, mum. - Magnus sends his love.

Who is on the steps right now?

The boring Green guy, what's his name...

OK, pull forward.

Sorry, Carsten...

- Are you the one who decides? - No, the electorate does that.

- Who will you back? - It's too early to say.

But a vote for us is a vote for change.

It's chaos down here.

Birgitte has arrived with her partner,

the celebrated English architect Jeremy Welsh.

Behind her we see ex TV1 presenter and now party press officer

Katrine Fønsmark. Birgitte Nyborg looks triumphant.

20 minutes to go till the party leader panel.

I am as proud as Punch.

From being an idea hatched by a handful of people

we have become a mass movement in less than a year...

and won 13 seats in parliament.

Denmark needs a credible, dynamic government...

- Here comes TV2. - Hi, Pia.

- Hi. Nice to see you. - Have you lot been good?

Brilliant. Haven't we? And we're getting better and better.

- We'll beat you in the ratings. - So you say every time.

Hi! And well done!

So you are officially an item?

- Yes. - It's weird seeing you arrive.

With Jeremy and the kids. But I'm getting used to it.

He seems... OK.

- Shall we see to the animals? - He's asleep!

Go home to bed.

See you, mummy.

- Fix us a new government, will you? - I'll do my best.

With me is former special advisor Kasper Juul.

- A very muddy situation? - We have to interrupt you...

Sorry, Kasper, Simon Bech is with Birgitte Nyborg.

Sorry, you know what it's like. Can I get back to you?

Are the youngsters breathing down your neck?

Yes, of course, and so they should.

They don't know what loyalty means.

To them, politics is a step up the career ladder.

You lot are not a hair better.

- Some of us are, surely. - Kasper, you begin as journalists.

You spend all your waking hours getting exposés on politicians.

Then you become Spads

and spend all your time fooling your former friends and journalists.

And two minutes later you're journalists again.

And you have the cheek

to ask us where the cynicism comes from.

I'd have liked to get that on TV.

You look like a man who misses the circus ring.

Being part of it is different to just yacking

about the mischief we get up to in there.

You never know when it's your last election.

- What's Benedikte doing in there? - She's on instead of Svend Åge.

Ready to go on air. Dorte on camera 4 in five seconds.

Four, three, two, one. And Dorte.

Denmark has voted. And here they sit.

The party leaders of the new parliament.

Lars Hesselboe, are you going to remain prime minister?

Yes, if you ask the electorate. The Liberals are the biggest party

and we have had a splendid election, so yes.

Hans Christian Thorsen, who is our next prime minister?

The electorate has given a majority to the opposition

of which the New Democrats were part and of which I am the leader.

And the woman in the middle... Congratulations on the result.

You hold the casting vote. Who is our next PM?

It is too early to say.

You know what the two men next to you stand for.

It can't be that difficult.

It's one of the most complex distributions of seats ever.

The trick will be to form a government that can stay the course.

The Moderates have had the worst election in their history.

Jacob Kruse, where does your party stand?

We have to get our breath back

make the best of things,

and move on.

Thorsen won't be able to ignore Anne Sophie Lindenkrone.

Can you work with Birgitte Nyborg at all?

- Is Nyborg willing to work with us? - That's actually a good question.

What do you say to that?

There's nobody we won't talk to.

One of the changes that leaps out at us

is that it is not Svend Åge Saltum who's here for the Freedom party

but you, Benedikte Nedergaard.

Svend Åge is exhausted. He asked me to represent him.

- The little liar! - Look! Saltum's singing!

This is fantastic television.

The partying is by no means over, from wakes to euphoria.

But there's an intense desire to resolve the question

of who's to be PM. Tonight will see the answer.

The word is that the Freedom Party want to be in government.

- What about Labour? - Thorsen had a poor election.

If he can't form a government Pernille Madsen will topple him.

Hi Birgitte! Congratulations!

Pernille is here as deputy chair.

I thought we should chalk the lines and see who'll lead the talks.

I am delighted that you've decided to sup with us.

My party and I have major issues with the economics

of your "Our Denmark" plan.

I can't start by ditching our election manifesto.

In the long term we can discuss it. But nothing is sacred.

We'll have to discuss it before we can discuss who's to be PM.

We can't allow cuts to corporation tax

or a growth rate dictated by some central bank.

- Easy now... - We are not going to give way.

- Is that non-negotiable? - Yes.

Our similarities are greater than our differences.

- Now for Hesselboe. - Yvonne is there but not Benedikte.

But the Freedom Party may have approached Labour.

No combination is being left unturned.

I have convinced Hesselboe that talks with Thorsen are going well.

So you can go for broke.

- Good to see you. - Likewise.

Yvonne and I have just been discussing the situation.

We are not naive enough to think

that you will support a government with the Freedom Party in cabinet.

I envisage a coalition

with the Liberals, the New Right, the Moderates and you.

And of course there will be several senior cabinet posts for you.

I am not interested in talking cabinet posts right now

but in discussing the content of the new government's platform.

- That will take time to discuss. - Of course.

We can already say that we can't support your cuts in public spending.

We can no longer afford welfare as we know it.

We can't afford the tax cuts you promised the electorate.

Unless you are willing to seek a consensus

it will be hard for us to form a government.

It may be more pragmatic

to negotiate with you from case to case.

To sign agreements with you

but allow you to stand on the outside.

There is also a third option.

That you make concessions.

Yes. That is what I have heard.

OK. But call me when you have any news.

That's fine. Bye.

Yes. It's a bit of a hornet's nest.

I think I'll...

Take care.

OK, what have we got? Thorsen, stymied.

The Labour Party facing a potential faction war.

And Solidarity have overplayed their hand.

They would never overturn a red government.

Until the day when they do it anyway.

A government with their backing will be economically irresponsible.

The markets don't always react negatively to red governments.

The alternative is a blue bloc that is far too cocky.

We are not backing a blue government.

But we can't have Thorsen without Lindenkrone.

- Listen to Birgitte. - I am. We choose both sides.

We form a government with Thorsen and do our economics with blue bloc.

We want to maximise our influence.

Not at any price, Jon.

We need a stable government, not short-term solutions.

Hesselboe is putting together a majority without us.

Impossible!

In 1978 the Liberals teamed up with Labour.

So yes, they can form a majority without us.

- We can't not use our seats! - It's tactics.

It's got to be.

"There may be other combinations. Meet me in the colonnade".

Birgitte?

- Hans Christian. - Good evening.

Or good night. An odd place to meet but I have my reasons.

Evening!

This is confidential.

It's no secret that we see eye to eye on quite a few matters.

But reaching agreement was tricky under Svend Åge's leadership.

But you're taking over? Congrats.

A modern Freedom Party under Benedikte,

I can work with.

But the Freedom Party's values?

Many of the major disagreements were because of Svend Åge's language.

We won't require more restrictions on refugees.

Let's focus on areas where we can meet. Social policy, business policy.

We are talking the Labour Party, the Freedom Party, the Greens,

and hopefully your own party, Birgitte.

After all, we are all interested in a change of government, aren't we?

A showdown with the curse of block politics.

And here we suddenly stand with a historic chance

to form a majority government and bring the left and right together.

I hope you understand the gravity inherent in our proposal.

Desperate times require courageous solutions.

A government spanning the centre.

In the light of the need for action and stability

we are willing to discuss

whether the post of prime minister should be placed in your hands.

They have offered me the prime ministership.

- Who has? - Thorsen.

Impossible! It is his sole ambition!

Pernille wants to topple him. It's his last resort.

To remain chairman by offering me the job of PM.

A government consisting of the Labour Party, the Greens, us,

and Benedikte Nedergaard.

A majority government with me as PM with only 13 seats, Bent.

Has anyone the right to take power with so few seats?

The electorate didn't vote to have me as their PM.

And we said right from the start

that we wanted to deprive the Freedom Party of any power.

What are my options?

I'd hoped for a government under Thorsen.

But it's unrealistic if it relies on Solidarity.

Then there's re-election of Hesselboe?

Can I push him to where I want him?

Finally, the big issue: who can count to a majority?

I can if I accept this offer.

When have you seen me happiest of all?

When you were prime minister.

And I can be prime minister again.

This time for a majority government.

It's an historic opportunity.

Government decisions can be implemented the next day.

Do you realise what I would be able to achieve?

I am in the driving seat.

Right now I am in the driving seat.

We need to hang on for the talks.

- He's not. - He is.

- He no longer has a lighter. - Look!

OK. Quite.

It's a deal.

Torben?

Phew! Thanks everyone for a great evening. Well done.

Dan and Pia, super cool.

Hanne and Ulrik, I must say.

My arse has been be saved by a clapped-out women's libber and a...

a metro sexual media darling. That's what you are, isn't it?

Well done, thank you all. It was great. Really great.

Here it comes: "Head of programmes Alex Hjorth to leave TV1".

So we'll just have to wait and see. Drive safely.

Hi, darling.

Are we getting you back again?

Be careful what you wish for.

Lovely to see you. He'll be out in a moment.

They have offered me the prime ministership.

- With 13 seats. - Lots of offers get made this late.

But I think we should form a stable, credible government

with you at its head. On certain clear conditions.

Aha... speak forth.

With the Liberals, New Right, and the New Democrats.

The Moderates are too devastated.

We must aim for a responsible economic policy.

That means broad-based agreements, the necessary welfare reforms.

A green backbone to our policy for industry.

A certain easing of restrictions on immigration.

That's quite a mouthful.

I am the one who can enable you to count to 90, Lars.

Where do you see yourself, hypothetically speaking?

Where you'd prefer me to be. Outside the country. As foreign minister.

You've got cheek, eh?

We both know it'll be tricky.

But I need to know if you think we can see eye to eye.

- Or you'll become PM. - The possibility exists.

I am sure we can see eye to eye.

I think the electorate will thank us for it.

I really don't care how old you are, it...

I suppose I'd given up believing in anything at all...

it's probably an occupational hazard.

But...

I think I want this.

It terrifies me, too.

Good morning.

- Milk? - Please.

- Thanks for your efforts. - It's been a pleasure.

Hi, Torben.

I was just saying my goodbyes.

I am moving on. But it's been fun.

Alex?

Next time you want some fun,

go to the fair.

I am pushing for Erik for justice, Jon for tax or economy,

and me for foreign minister.

It is a pretty decent place to work.

It's my second home.