Borgen (2010–2013): Season 2, Episode 3 - Den sidste arbejder - full transcript

I can assure you
the Worker's Party stands united

behind me and therefore
a future government.

Bjørn, I can't support you.
We both know you are no prime minister.

You have great qualities as a politician,
but not as a bloody leader.

You may still be
minister of justice on paper,

but as I see it, I fired you this morning
in my office, as it should have been.

Is the prime minister
coming to help you move?

Don't count on it.
Besides, I don't have a lot of stuff.

Happy birthday to you,
dear Katrine

How about I book a table
some place nice?

Is your girlfriend okay with that?



Cheers, Katrine.

Katrine?

- I didn't sign them.
- Why not?

Because I don't want to divorce you.

"Ours is one hell of a victory."

THOMAS NIELSEN former chairman
of the Confederation of Trade Unions

This weekend, the government is having
a seminar called Our Common Future

aimed at discussing
the Danish welfare state.

What is Denmark going
to look like in the year 2020?

How do we ensure

that our children will also
be able to partake in future welfare.

The welfare state has been
a cornerstone of our self-image.

Something we've been proud of,
and rightly so.

The government believes
that we must look at what we can afford



and what to prioritize.

Primary school and education of our youth
is one of our top priorities.

We want to create
the best school in the world.

How are we going to finance it?

We want to make tough priorities.

There are things we can no longer afford.

We must review early retirement
and decrease down the line. Yes?

Aren't you tampering with
basic welfare rights?

Yes, but we believe other parts of our
social security net could catch those

eligible for early retirement
in the future.

Be careful with that phrasing.

It sounds as if you see early
retirement pensioners as social losers.

Yes, I could hear
how it sounded wrong. Yes?

Excuse me.

The first journalists are here.
But where should they go?

Two minutes.

Two minutes.
Have them wait outside until then.

Bjørn Marrot is here, too.

He wants to talk to Birgitte.
He say's it's urgent...

- I'm glad I made it, Birgitte.
- Bjørn, can't it wait until after?

I must ask you to please hold off
mentioning early retirement.

What?

Several union members
have issues with it.

You said you cleared it with them.

Yes, but now several key leaders feel
they haven't been heard.

Excuse me, but who the hell
dictates your policies, Bjørn?

I do, Birgitte.

And I don't condone it either.

I've been awake all night
thinking about it.

Early retirement was one of our key
issues, and we fought to implement it.

Please don't mention it,
until we've talked the matter over.

There must be other options!

It's definitively the main
financial source

for our entire new welfare package.

I'm presenting it to the press
in three minutes.

What the hell should I tell them when they
ask where the money will come from?

Birgitte. We're on now.

Do we even have common ground, Bjørn?

FUNDING FOR OUR COMMON FUTURE

EPISODE 13
THE LAST WORKER

That went really well.

Really well?
I avoided the issue for 20 minutes.

That's what I always say. You have to be
tough with the Worker's Party.

I bloody well intend to.

Marrot is practically married
to the union.

He worked for them for several years.

He's the product of another age.

Kasper, we'll have to do this later.

- I have a meeting now.
- Right.

Regarding your ex-husband...

Jytte, I don't have time for that.

If he calls, tell him
I'll call him back when I can.

But he didn't call, he...

Birgitte?

Phillip?

- What are you doing here?
- I've been calling you for days.

- We need to talk.
- Does it have to be right now?

- It won't take long.
- I'm already late for a meeting.

Birgitte...

Alright, look...

I've met a woman named Cecilie.

I've tried to tell you
a couple of times, but...

No, what I want to say is,
things have become serious between us.

Good for you. But why is this important?

The kids are staying with me Friday.

And I'd like them to meet her...

when we all go to the movies tonight
so they can...

Well... have time to get used to...

the idea, right?

No, Phillip.
I think that's a very bad idea.

It's too soon.

I don't want the kids
to meet your random girlfriends.

Magnus is only just calming down.

All my random girlfriends?

- I've known Cecilie for months.
- Then why only tell me know?

I've tried to tell you...

You asked me not to say anything
until it was serious.

- And it just got serious today?
- No, it's been for long, Birgitte.

She's a part of my life now.
I just want the kids to meet her.

No. I'm sorry, Phillip.
But the answer is no.

If you intend to introduce them
to Cecilie tonight

I'm not handing over the kids
when you come to pick them up.

- Is that for you to decide?
- I'm their mother. They're not ready.

Fine. We'll wait then.

- Good.
- Right.

Have a nice day then.

The minister of taxation called
about the meeting. What should I say?

- I'll call him back later.
- Okay.

Birgitte, I think you handled
the press conference fantastically.

I'm sorry you were forced
to change tactics.

It would be easier if the Worker's Party
had a leader who knew his own beliefs.

I think Marrot is doing his best.

I'm just saying, it's hard enough
to lead a three-party coalition.

And when the Worker's Party can't agree
internally, it's close to impossible.

- We could talk at the minister's meeting.
- Sure.

I don't have much time.

No wonder.

The prime minister sure seemed dodgy

regarding how to finance your otherwise
fine welfare package.

Thanks.
We're working on the final details.

Can we agree that financing a bill
worth a couple of billion or ten

hardly counts as "the final details"?

Katrine, I'm sorry.
I've got to go now.

Have you got the amendments
to Our Common Future?

Thank you.

Is anything wrong?

Wrong?

I have a funny feeling
that you're trying to avoid me.

That is a funny feeling.
What makes you say that?

We usually talk
three to four times a week,

and we haven't since my birthday,

and you've started calling
the others at the paper.

You're not the only correspondent
on politics at Ekspres, Katrine.

No.

- I really have to go now.
- How are things with Lotte?

Fine. We're happy.

Birgitte asked me to tell
she's on her way.

Thanks.

Did you see Marrot this morning?

Everyday I think he has peaked
in how confused he can look.

"In control" is not what I would call
our chairman and foreign minister.

Same for his grasp of English.

- I owe you a shrimp sandwich.
- And two snaps.

Here. I want to talk to you later.

Before we start, I want to talk about
this morning's episode.

I was on my way to the press conference

and Bjørn Marrot shows up last minute
and has now changed his stance

on our plan to dismantle early retirement,

which is the most important source
of financing for our welfare package.

I have to stress this for everyone.

We need clear and straight lines.
I'm very serious, Bjørn.

I cannot accept that we lay out a course

for you to rob me last minute of my
mandate to speak for the government.

I know it was a bad situation.

But I had to put my foot down.

Shouldn't we discuss this
internally in the party?

I take full responsibility as chairman.

We never agreed to abolish
early retirement.

We are not abolishing early retirement.

We agreed on a phase-out.

The Worker's Party agrees on this.
We won't touch early retirement.

Well, that's news to me.
As long as you agree among yourselves.

Look, it's no secret that opinions diverge
internally in the party,

but naturally, we support our chairman.

Okay. We don't have time for this now.

Bjørn, I want to talk to you tomorrow,

and Troels, as vice-chairman,
you should come with.

Should we say my office at 4 p.m.?

- Yes, 4 p.m.
- Alright.

Then let's return to the agenda.

Right. Not so much story yet.
But it does tell something.

- And this one...
- Let me see the other one.

She's grown as a prime minister,
that Birgitte Nyborg.

Katrine says she held a press conference
for 20 minutes without saying a thing.

She's become your everyday
career politician without opinions.

Something went wrong.

It was a weird press conference.

Her Power Point made no sense
when it came to financing.

I got some good shots of her
looking at her spin doctor

and looking pissed as hell.

That is bloody great, Kalle.

Are the two of you covering the
government seminar at Helenekilde?

We're counting on it.
I have several interviews lined up.

- That just got you the cab fare.
- Sure.

Anything else?

There's been a lot of rumours
about Bjørn Marrot.

Oh? What about?

Basically that he is incompetent.

- Several from his party mention it.
- I hear it too.

And the rumours have increased recently.
Something's up.

We should write about that, right?

No, we shouldn't.

It's just someone spreading
malicious rumors.

We are not fanning out the dirt
for a bunch of spin.

Won't it look odd
if all the other papers go into it?

I have to get this.
This is Michael.

Since when are we above rumors?

Since they were about Marrot.

Ekspres hasn't run a single negative story
about him since Laugesen got hired.

That's true.

Marrot is Laugesen's
last ally in the party.

If we slam him, he'll lose a very
important supporter and source at Borgen.

That is bloody unbelievable.

If I were you,

I'd find out who's spreading those rumors.

It makes you wonder, right?

Marrot has been designated harmless
ever since he was elected leader.

Who's got it in for him now?

I've asked Kim to take me home.

Phillip's going to the movies with
the kids. I want to send them off.

Can I ask you a personal question?

Is there something we should talk about?

You just seemed shaken after
your talk with Phillip this morning.

That's got nothing to with it.

I'm upset because of the mess
Marrot has caused.

Okay.

Just be careful not to let your
frustration about Marrot...

Considering what he put me through
this morning, I find it fair.

And I agree completely.

You should just know

there are some critical voices
surrounding Marrot these days.

Don't come down too hard on him.

I don't come down on him, Kasper.
Not half as hard as I should.

Be careful about browbeating people.

I miss...

the way it used to be, Kasper.

I miss Sejrø.

How is he?

He's better, but we shouldn't count
on him being his old self.

I don't think he'll return to Borgen.

Have a good evening.

You too.

You're leaving early.
Not much to do today?

- I spent most of it knitting.
- How are the oven mitts coming along?

I'm working on a little hat.

Kim, I need to make a phone call.

This is Phillip.
Leave a message.

Hi Phillip, it's Birgitte.

Look, I've been thinking, and...

I'm sorry I was so hard on you.

I was just under pressure
from a lot of...

But...

If you feel they are ready, then of course
they can meet your girlfriend.

And I want to meet her too.

So I think it would be a great idea
if you brought her along tonight...

Then the kids could see
that everything is okay, right?

I'm on my way home.
Come by whenever you're ready.

Okay? Bye.

Do you know a good florist, Kim?

Why are you shining up the house?

- But I'm not.
- Sure you are.

When was the last time
you brought home flowers?

I do now and then.
Laura, have you heard from your dad?

No.

He may be bringing someone for us to meet.

Is it his girlfriend?

You knew he'd met someone?

He didn't tell me directly,
but I had a feeling.

He's been like...

When he's on the phone with her,
he seems more happy and silly.

Hi, honey.

- Hi.
- Hi, dad.

Hey, champ. It's so nice here.

You're alone?
Didn't you get my message?

Kids, grab what you need,
because we're leaving right away.

- Sure.
- Good.

Look, I...

I've been thinking too, and you may
be right. I don't want to force it.

You're not. Stop.

Sure they can meet her.
I was just stressed out.

Are you sure?

I'm not the first prime minister
to have a change of heart.

I think we should meet, all of us.
Of course.

- Okay?
- What about tomorrow?

I can be home by 5.30 p.m.
and we could...

- You could come by for coffee or...
- Yeah, sure. Well...

- Cecilie drinks tea, but...
- Tea is fine. We have plenty.

- Sure.
- Tea and coffee.

- Call me when you're on your way, then...
- Sure, we will.

You're taking that to the movies?

- Yes.
- What if you lose it?

- We'll be careful. Come on.
- It won't.

- Yeah.
- Grab your coat.

- Bye, Mom.
- Bye.

Torben, I can't give you an exclusive.

Because it's a government seminar
outlining the financial policy

for Denmark the next two years.

No, you're going to have to share this
with the rest of the class.

Yes. Bye.

Oh, man. See you, gorgeous.

Are you here?

What?

I don't feel like you're here very much.
You're somewhere else.

I feel like these past weeks
have been a little...

strange.

It's this government seminar.
It's a big thing.

It just needs to get in the air.

Right now it's a challenge just keeping
the government together.

Yes, of course.

See you.

Look, Kasper.

Are you sure you want to move in with me?

It doesn't seem like it at all.

I told you I want to.

I did.

I promise you now...

that as soon as this is over,
you and I are going to go away

to a place with sunlight,
beaches and cocktails.

And with no excuses
for not fucking five times a day.

Good morning.

Troels Höxenhaven called to ask

if we could move the meeting
with Marrot to 11 a.m.

Since the meeting
with Danish Industry was postponed,

I didn't see a problem.

No, that's fine.

The papers for the government seminar
are on your desk.

Did he say why?

No, not a word.

Yes.

- The minister of justice is here.
- Show him in.

Sorry I'm late.

- You're alone?
- I don't know where Marrot is.

I've been waiting ten minutes.

Jytte, please get hold of Marrot
and ask what's keeping him.

Birgitte, I have my secretary on the line.

- Never mind.
- He's got a handle on it.

Right. Troels speaking.
Any news about Marrot?

Okay.

Well, tell him to call
as soon as he gets back.

Thanks.

It seems Marrot is at a meeting
at the Mexican embassy.

What?

He's had a lot on his mind lately.

So...

I don't know...
Should we schedule a new meeting?

No, since you're here,
you and I can talk, right?

I understand if you felt put on the spot
at the press conference.

But you should know I share your stance
completely on early retirement.

- But I can't say that as vice-chairman.
- No, of course.

The Worker's Party is
a large and old party

bound by other traditions and
considerations than the Moderate Party.

It must be deeply frustrating

having to dance with such
a cumbersome partner, I understand.

Troels, is Marrot in bad standing
in the party?

- Not that I've noticed.
- Rumors are buzzing.

Sure, but look... He heads
the largest Danish party.

Rumors come with the territory.

Right?

Don't put too much stock into that.

Foreign minister Bjørn Marrot
has become a subject of attention

since he has performed poorly
as a representative of Denmark.

Marrot's unfortunate choice of words in
BBC earlier this year is used as proof

we sure didn't "shoot the parrot"
with our choice of foreign minister.

With this new deal
I think we can say that both

Denmark and the rest
of the EU countries

have, so to speak, shot the parrot.

You spelled it wrong, okay?

F-Æ-L-D-E-S spells "fældes",

and not "fælles."

It's a passive form of the word "at fælde"

and perhaps you don't know
the concept of a passive form,

but there is no fucking "D" in "fælles".

If there is, then we're talking
about cutting down trees. Understand?

Just have new banners ready
for the seminar in 24 hours.

- Say, Kasper?
- Yes?

- You should know, we're not behind them.
- What?

The foolish rumors
about the foreign minister.

But surely you are the only ones
to gain from it.

Sure, if you look at it with a narrow mind

and assume that we, the opposition,
per definition love everything

that discredits the government.

Just tell Birgitte
we're not the instigators.

Sorry, Lars, but I don't think
Birgitte Nyborg believes anything you say.

We all remember
your little Afghanistan stunt.

That was pure strategy, Kasper.
This is different.

If I could topple Bjørn Marrot as a bad
foreign minister, I'd do it tomorrow.

But he's not.

He may be weak, but he knows
his priorities, and he's a good man.

He and I have been in parliament
together nearly 15 years.

One thing should convince you
that it isn't coming from me.

- And what is that?
- It's lacks style, Kasper.

To say that the foreign minister
is bad at English

or that he wears socks in his sandals...
It's pure bullying.

And I won't bully my way
back to being prime minister.

Say hi to Birgitte for me.

Okay, Kasper. Right.
Thanks, bye.

- I'll work from home the rest of the day.
- Yes, okay.

- Have a good evening.
- You, too.

- Hi, Bjørn.
- Where are you going?

I'm going home.

What about our meeting at four?

Höxenhaven moved it to this morning.

His secretary should have
talked to yours. I waited for you.

I feel like I'm left out of the loop
more and more

Bjørn, I can't and won't interfere
in your internal affairs.

But you have to agree before we meet
the day after tomorrow at Helenekilde.

Yes, of course.

Mom, you don't have to do all this

just because that lady
is coming with dad.

It has nothing to do with that.

If you didn't leave your shoes all over
the place, I wouldn't have to tidy up.

Hi, Phillip.

Hi, Birgitte.
We're on our way now.

- Go right here.
- Here?

- No, go right.
- Okay.

But you said...

- Sure thing.
- You pointed to the left...

Oh. Sorry about that. I'm back.

Birgitte?

Hello?

- Hello?
- I'm sorry, Phillip.

It's good that you called.
I just can't get away from the office.

I'm still here.

A call would have been nice.

I know, and I'm sorry.
We'll reschedule, okay?

Bye.

It's okay, Mom.

We can meet her another day.

The episode makes
many other papers question

Bjørn Marrot's skill as foreign minister.

Today's headline in BT calls him
"an embarrassment for Denmark,"

because he attended a dinner
at the American embassy

and misunderstood
the invitation saying "black tie."

But that's old news?

This means tuxedo and not,
as Bjørn Marrot erroneously thought,

a black tie.

The episode makes many...

When I speak with the secretaries for
the New Right and the Liberals,

they make a big fuss
about it not being them.

It could be the Worker's Party.

Höxenhaven or that witch, Pernille Madsen.

They've always had bad taste
and petty minds.

But it is damn efficient.

It's a classic recipe.

First you humiliate your victim.

When everyone is laughing, you launch
the serious character assassination.

I'll bet that the next few days
will surface

a little story about alcohol
or misfiled receipts.

Then the last sympathy will disappear,
and he'll be ripe for toppling.

But isn't it a big risk to run

two years after the Worker's Party
finally got into government?

If you ask me...

Höxenhaven's personal ambitions outweigh
his loyalty to the party.

There's the pot calling
the kettle black, right, Michael?

We could run the gay story on him?

Michael?

Seriously. Let him feel the sting
of public ridicule.

Isn't that just an urban myth?

Nope.

I promise you stuff went down
at Höx's hotel rooms, when we were abroad.

He's mad for young guys.

Enough of that, Michael.
Do you have any proof?

- Not hard evidence.
- Oh, so you took part?

Oh, shut up.

- The guy has been married for many years.
- That's no obstacle.

- Michael.
- I said, I'll be right in!

That's no obstacle.

Do you know how many married men
swoop by Ørstedsparken for a quickie?

- Look...
- Before they go home to wifey.

- It is bloody true.
- Look, we can't run it, no matter what.

Fine, we'll run
a positive story on Marrot.

How much he travels,
how busy and diligent he is,

how many meetings he attends.

I have a meeting.
You take a look at this one, Katrine.

See you later, alligator.

I bloody told you I was coming, damn it...

- Am I just a suck-up journalist now?
- Seems like it.

Yes.

Did you reschedule yesterday's
meeting to make Marrot look bad?

Of course not.

It was all a misunderstanding
between secretaries.

What about the black-tie story?
Was that you?

- Why should I humiliate my chairman?
- That's what I'm asking.

My guess is that it's the Liberals

who are laying the groundwork
to an early election.

I don't think so.

Troels, can you promise me there isn't
a showdown coming in the Worker's Party?

Listen, Birgitte.
Everyone stands behind Marrot.

May I remind you, we have a very
important government seminar tomorrow?

We have several bills in the pipeline
that would change

the welfare society
we all talk so much about.

Do you understand then
that it is not helpful

that we instead discuss proficiency
in English and Marrot's clothing?

Yes, of course.

Thank you. That's all.

Yes.

How are you doing?

I'm okay.

It's never nice to be the subject
of attention in the press,

but it comes with the territory.

Bjørn, you are vice-prime minister
and party chairman.

You have power.

I suggest you use it.

You do know that it might be
people from your own party

who are spreading rumors, right?

People will believe anything
about the Worker's Party

just because we have had
internal strife before.

Had Sejrø been here now,
he would have said

that Caesar was murdered by his own.

Bjørn, I can't act on the internal strife
in the Worker's Party.

You're on your own there.

What do you want me to do?

Sometimes you have to act resolutely
when your position is threatened.

To make an example
and regain the necessary respect.

We don't whip people into place
in the Worker's Party.

We prefer dialogue.

Listen. Thorsen is behind me.

He is a key figure in the party.

We've decided to tighten the grip
in the parliamentary group

and on our ministers.

No more renegading and disloyalty.

I will make clear that we still follow

the core values
that our party was founded on.

Common ground and solidarity.

And that's how it will be.

Thanks, Christoffer.

- Here's your change.
- Fantastic.

Did you just have a guy with a law degree,

probably the top of his class,
run your errands?

Trust me, it concerns national security.

Laura is meeting Phillip's new girl
and didn't have any black clothes.

- Black?
- Black! It has to be black.

So, what do all hardworking
single moms do?

- She makes her secretary run errands.
- Yes, she does.

Shouldn't you be meeting
with the coordination committee?

Marrot asked me to postpone an hour.

They had to finish a talk
in the Worker's Party.

- Did you talk to him?
- I think he got it. They have to close it.

We want the press to write about welfare
and education instead of gossip, right?

- Thanks.
- Kasper?

Do you have a minute?

Just for your information,

I had an informal meeting

with the permanent secretary
at the foreign ministry this morning.

And I have to tell you it's not exactly
contentment with the minister

that describes the mood over there.

The foreign ministry is
a place of tradition,

and not everyone feels
that Marrot fits in.

And stuff like that surfaces
at some point or another.

So someone "forgets" to tell Marrot
he should wear a tuxedo

and not a black tie,

to make him look stupid.

So you're saying the rumors could've
been leaked from his own ministry?

And that I can't guarantee
it won't happen again.

Well, as a final remark I'd like to say

I'm looking forward to a good
and rewarding seminar.

- Thank you.
- Thanks.

I'd like to ask everyone to stay seated.

Can't it wait?
I have a meeting at the ministry.

No, it can't. Please sit down, Troels.

I didn't get to talk
to all of you personally.

But I'd like to stress that
the Worker's Party has agreed now

to protect early retirement.

I'm glad to hear you have...

you've found a stance
you agree on, Bjørn. But...

But I would have liked to discuss
early retirement.

But then I assume you have
another coherent proposal

for financing the welfare package.

Of course.

We want to postpone some subsidies

for industry and agriculture
in the Green Growth program.

But that's not a solution, Bjørn.

I'm sorry, but we can't lower our
ambitions for the climate and environment

just because your party
suddenly changes stance.

- Then we'll negotiate.
- We already have negotiated, Bjørn.

Then we'll have to raise taxes or
lower ambitions for primary school

to make the welfare package
a little cheaper.

I'm afraid that's out of the question.
We'll have to find it elsewhere.

- What does the minister of finance say?
- That the numbers added up before.

And that we need to find 27 billion,
if we leave early retirement out of it.

And I'd like to know how Bjørn can say
the party is in agreement

when he hasn't spoken
with all of us.

He can do it, because he is our chairman.

He sets the course, which also goes
for the minister of finance.

I'm glad you agree, Pernille.

Let's adjourn for now.

See you tomorrow at the seminar.

I still despair over the issue
of finding the money, Bjørn.

- But I'm glad you got your group in line.
- Thank you.

And should there be more fuss in the press

regarding black ties and dead parrots,

I hope you'll go out
and support your foreign minister.

- Be careful with that.
- What?

Supporting Marrot in public.

I just spoke with the permanent secretary,
and it is quite possible

more things will leak
from the foreign ministry.

- What?
- We don't know for sure,

but don't give Marrot your full support
in the press today

if you have to take it back tomorrow.

Does the prime minister still have
full confidence in Bjørn Marrot

after the latest news?

I trust the foreign minister can answer
any questions about his duties.

And that's all I have
to say about that.

Thank you.

Torben Friis, what is the prime minister
really saying between the lines?

That she won't get involved in this case.

She won't comment on whether

the foreign minister's
English is up to par,

or whether he wears
the proper suit and so on.

And she's wise to refrain
from commenting on stuff like this.

What is Bjørn Marrot's current
political position?

We can agree that he's been
humiliated a lot lately.

Absolutely, but Marrot
is an old-timer.

He's been in the game for many years.

And he's been a member
of the Worker's Party for 35 years.

He was a welder at the shipyard
in Helsingør back in the 70's.

Exactly, back when there was still
a real worker's movement in Denmark.

An old joke tells of two problems
with the worker's movement.

One, there are no workers.
And two, there's really not a movement.

But stay with me, because...

- Good morning.
- Have a look.

- Thanks, Mom. I love it.
- It looks great on you.

It's really nice.

Please sit down.

So, how are you feeling
about meeting your dad's new girlfriend?

- Are you guys okay?
- Yes.

Look, even though there is nothing strange
in your dad having a new girlfriend,

it's okay for you to be a bit upset.

But I'd like to say,
that if you think Cecilie is...

really nice and wonderful,
you're not being disloyal to me.

You're not being mean, okay?

And if you don't like her
you're not being disloyal with your dad.

I think we're fine, Mom.

That's good.

I just want to add
that I love you both very much.

And it's okay, if you...

need some time to get used to her. Right?

- She's not going to be my mom.
- She sure isn't.

Right, honey?

- Go and get ready for school.
- Okay.

Laura, I...

I need you to be the big sister.

Please call me,
if Magnus gets even a little upset.

- Yes.
- I can pick you up any time.

And that goes for you too.

It may be hard for the both of you
to see your dad with another woman.

- Mom...
- Promise to call me, okay?

- I'll be right here.
- I will.

- So we have a deal, right?
- Sure.

- A firm deal. Great.
- Right.

Katrine!

Meet Mikkel.

Our new trainee photographer
tagging along to the seminar.

Okay? I didn't know. Hi, I'm Katrine.

Why...

It's Laugesen. He wants to put
an extra effort into the segments

for Ekspres TV.

Things will be high speed up there,
so Mikkel will assist on the video side.

Great.

Have you been close
to government before?

No, I don't think so.

- Should be exciting.
- Yes.

Are you up-to-date on the rumors
about the foreign minister?

He's 22, okay? I didn't read
the bloody papers when I was 22, either.

I did.

No, beautiful.
I just didn't want to disturb you,

because you looked so beautiful
in your sleep.

Yeah.

I don't know.

No, I...

Lotte, don't wait up for me.
We have a lot of work.

I think we'll...

spend the night.

Sure. I will.

Today's issue of Ekstrabladet says,
under the headline "Porn and Pernod",

that foreign minister Bjørn Marrot
during a hotel visit...

I'll call you back.

...watched movies
and drank Pernod for taxpayer money.

According to the newspaper,
Bjørn Marrot raided the minibar

and watched movies for 330 kroner,

and furthered the bill
to the foreign ministry afterwards.

Earlier this morning we caught
vice-chairman in the Worker's Party,

Troels Höxenhaven for a comment:

I find this smear campaign undignified
and deranged.

I have nothing else to say than
that I support Bjørn Marrot completely.

Is there...

It's like I said...

A ministry gets a life of its own,
if the leader is too weak

or if discontentment
with the leader grows too big.

Cracks appear,
and from those cracks seeps...

information.

Troels Höxenhaven what is your comment
on the rumors of party strife?

I don't have much to comment
on rumors.

I stick to the facts.

- Kim, what's going on?
- Höx is greeting the press.

Go on inside, Troels!
Go in and warm yourself.

Bloody hell...

You can't tell who's chairman
and vice-chairman.

What the devil is he up to?

Höx could have toppled
Marrot several times,

but every time he holds back
and says he supports him.

Kim, do something. This is demeaning.

Don't worry.

Just wait until we open the door.

Hans Christian Thorsen, is there a war
going on in the Worker's Party?

Stick to the deal, okay?

Birgitte Nyborg!

- Are you waiting for someone?
- Not at all.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Birgitte Nyborg, it's still unclear
how you will finance the welfare package.

Can you tell us something?

That would rather take the edge off of
tomorrow's press conference. See you then.

- Good luck.
- Thanks.

Do you know, when they're done?

At three p.m.

Is the issue of the foreign minister's
receipts on the agenda?

I didn't know there was an issue
about his receipts.

Oh, you didn't?

Isn't only Ekstrabladet writing about it?

Birgitte Nyborg can't be pleased with
the trouble with the foreign minister.

I don't think the prime minister
has a comment.

So she doesn't mind Marrot spending
taxpayers' money on porn and booze?

Seriously.

Look, we're talking about 300 kroner.

- 330.
- Yes.

This seminar lays the foundation
for the future policies of the government.

Let's raise the bar a little, shall we?

So, you're proposing a triviality limit
on tax-funded porn consumption?

Please excuse me.

Kasper speaking.

Oh, yeah... I'll fax you.

Tomorrow, yes. So...

I know there's no one on the line.

You never mute your phone.

Call you back, okay?

I'm not sure it's a good thing
we know each other so well.

Well, it's good for me.

Please save me from that strange
trainee they saddled me with.

The one you spoke with before?

He must be the most ignorant
"photographer" I ever had to work with.

What's in it for me?

- A tip.
- What about?

Höxenhaven and Thorsen seemed
very brotherly when they met this morning.

Is that so?

And my photographer, Kalle, saw them

late last night at the group offices
of the Worker's Party.

That doesn't have to be strange.

Except Thorsen has always been one
of Marrot's allies in the party.

Hi, baby.

- All set?
- Sure thing.

I saw there was a minibar in the rooms.
You think Marrot can stay away from it?

If there are any adult channels on TV,
he's going to go berserk.

Thanks.

- Hello, everyone.
- Hello.

First, I'd like to welcome you all.

I truly hope you are all ready
to all drop the drama,

so we can focus
on the important issues.

We are laying the foundations
for something

that for once goes beyond
our term in office.

I assume you've all read
our proposal.

But before we start, foreign minister
Bjørn Marrot wants to say a few words.

Thank you.

As most of you have probably seen...

there is a lot of talk
about me in the press.

Well, some stories aren't about me,

but about more important issues.

Specifically that the chairman of LO

and several of the labor union's
economists have found

ways on how we might after all...

phase out early retirement over time.

So I think we may just find a solution
for that problem.

It sounds a little like
the unions control the government.

I have the floor, Pernille!

Of course the labour unions
don't dictate our policies.

There are nonetheless,
historically speaking, close ties

between them and us.

Maybe too close.

What are you trying to say, Pernille?

Everyone knows that your history with
the union fosters a great loyalty in you.

But you've wavered back
and forth on this issue.

First, you want to phase out
early retirement, then you don't,

and then perhaps you do.

Excuse me for trying to find
a decent solution

for a complicated problem.

What Pernille is aiming at is
that in the end

this isn't about the union movement,
but about every Danish citizen.

They should be our main concern.

All Danish citizens aren't white-collar
workers and academics

like you and Pernille.

There are people in need
in our society, who...

Who we used to care about in this party!

You're talking about a Denmark
that no longer exists, Bjørn.

What?

I think the people you talk about

could get by on disability retirement
and rehabilitation.

Your relationship to early retirement
is of a sentimental nature,

because you helped get it passed.

There is nothing sentimental
about caring for those in need.

Fine, we'll shelve it for now.

But I must tell you, many in the party
disagree with your stance on this issue.

It's out of touch with the times,
the state finances or public opinion.

How about a show
of party discipline, if you please?

Right, Thorsen?

No, I don't think so, Bjørn.

You're on your own on this one.

This sounds like a talk for another time.

But it also concerns the prime...

Who do you think you are?

Who the bloody hell do you think you are?

Where the hell is your respect?
What the hell are you playing at?

- You think I'll just roll over?
- Stop. Sit down.

Shut it!

I'm not the fat class clown
you can all stab in the back.

- Bjørn...
- Where the hell is your solidarity?

Where the hell is your respect?
I'm your chairman, damn it!

Bjørn, sit down.
Will you please sit down, Bjørn?

Sit down in your chair.

Okay?

Do as she says.

I'd like to... apologise on behalf
of the Worker's Party,

but I think we need a couple of hours
alone to sort this out.

Let's calm down.

We're here to discuss the government's
policy on absolutely vital areas.

We have a tight schedule.

This is what we'll do:
Let's take a breath of fresh air.

Some ocean air to clear our minds.

And then let's meet again
and focus on the issues at hand.

Birgitte, listen.
We need a couple of hours. I'm sorry.

Then we'll let the Worker's Party sort
this out, while the rest of us leave.

Thank you.

Yes.

Something's up.
The press is crowding around outside.

- It's only been 40 minutes.
- I know.

...from the government seminar
at Tisvildeleje.

A short while ago,

chairman of the Worker's Party
Bjørn Marrot

resigned for personal reasons.

The parliamentary group has voted to elect
Troels Höxenhaven as acting chairman

until the party can hold an extraordinary
congress as soon as possible,

- Great timing.
- within the next three weeks...

Did Höxenhaven topple Marrot?

Troels Höxenhaven will hold
a press conference later today

where you can all ask questions.

Does Höxenhaven want to be prime minister?

No comments,
although historically, of course,

the chairman of the Worker's Party
is always a candidate for that post.

There goes the government seminar,
officially.

I've got to get out of here, now.

We'll inform the press that

we'll give the Worker's Party
time to gather themselves,

so we'll postpone the seminar
until after their congress.

Excuse me, but did they
just challenge me as prime minister?

Yes?

I do apologize.

Why did you inform the press before me?

It was already out.

So we chose to set it straight
before they began guessing.

What are you playing at, Troels?

Birgitte, it was never anyone's intention
to ruin this seminar.

But you did anyway.

I'm going to inform the press
that the seminar is off,

so you can pick up the pieces.

- And then I'm going home.
- Thank you.

That's very considerate of you.

Obviously, the party is
pretty fragile right now.

I'm not happy, I'll tell you that.

But you should know,

I'm all for reforming early retirement
if I'm elected at the congress.

I hope you remember our conversation
after the bugging affair?

We overcame our differences,
because we're professionals.

I expect you to be professional
in your new position.

Yes, of course.

But not quite like Bjørn Marrot.

At least Bjørn was loyal, Höx.

And that's a quality I value
as prime minister. Remember that.

Sure.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

What do you think
of today's events?

It's a very regrettable situation.

But, Birgitte Nyborg,
will it affect the seminar?

I assure you that the government seminar
will be held

as soon as the Worker's Party
has dealt with their issues.

That's all from me. Troels Höxenhaven's
press conference is later today.

Birgitte Nyborg, will this
result in a reshuffle of ministers?

Bjørn?

Are you okay, Bjørn?

Yes.

Do you remember
when you said I wasn't a leader?

Well, I didn't mean...

You were right. I'm no leader.

Maybe not, but you didn't deserve this.

I got this
when I was an apprentice welder.

If anyone had said back then that I'd
end up as the Danish foreign minister,

I'd have laughed at them.

You have a lot to be proud of, Bjørn.

Yes, I've gotten the most
out of my political talent.

Do you remember that LO chairman
who said in his farewell speech:

"Ours is one hell of a victory."?

We had no more needs to meet.

We'd just passed
the early retirement bill.

And all the people who'd been living
in tenements with outhouses

now lived in a house of their own.

Who would have guessed

that I was the last worker
in the Worker's Party?

Here's to Bjørn.
He'll get back on his feet,

even though he took a fall.

He's got lots of options.

He's got his old craft
to fall back on.

- He's got his summerhouse.
- True.

It's not like it is the first regicide

in Danish history.

And I bet it won't be the last either.

Can I have a cigarette?

Remember when you could smoke
without freezing to death?

Thanks.

Why are you still here?
Your minister's gone home.

I need to talk to some important people
and keep an eye on the Worker's Party.

What important people?

You, for instance.

I'll have to try to influence you

into not writing that
this will harm the government.

- That's going to cost you.
- I bet.

That's perfect.

The Worker's Party
is picking up the tab tonight.

Here we are at some
boring course facility,

in the middle of nowhere, and the entire
government seminar was one big turd.

And the revolutionary Worker's Party...

And now that everything is over,

our young photographer finally
shows some initiative.

Alright. Let's have your sharp analysis.

Did Höx plan this all along?
I hear the craziest rumors.

Does it make sense,
what I told you about Höx and Thorsen?

Yeah, but...

I don't want to talk politics.

Don't you feel well?

Do you remember when we stayed
at that hotel?

By the sea in Brittany?

- Yes.
- You remember?

We had the best lobster ever.

And those gross sea snails
you insisted on ordering.

And then we went to our room...

and had totally incredible sex.

No...

You're wrong. We got into a fight.

Well, it was an incredible fight then.

Alright...
I think it's time to say goodnight.

It sure is.
Good night, Katrine.

- Hi, Phillip.
- No, mom, it's Laura.

My battery's dead.

Hi, honey.

Is something wrong.
Do you want me to come get you?

No, everything's fine.

What's Magnus doing up this late?

We've just been playing Pictionary.

And me and Cecilie
cooked up a Mexican dinner.

And she's really, really nice.

Well, that's great.

Hey, Magnus, that's against the rules.

Anyway, I just called to ask if we can
stay at Dad's until Tuesday?

We've got tickets for
the theater on Monday.

Yes, of course you can.

Is anything wrong?

No, I'm just coming down with a cold.

But that's great, sweetie.

You'd better get back to the others.
Say hi from me.

Okay, bye.

Bye.

It's been a long day.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

And are you sure
you can keep a secret?