Borgen (2010–2013): Season 3, Episode 8 - Man har et standpunkt... - full transcript

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

I might just sleep at the office.

You come home to sleep,
even if it is just for ten minutes.

Have a chat with Pia.
I've noticed you two really get along.

I haven't mentioned it to anyone.

Can you help Birgitte tomorrow

before she goes on TV1?

You don't have cancer,
but you have precancerous cells.

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

That's the very minimum
in an election campaign.

Millions or billions?



Birgitte Nyborg, it's not a minor detail.
This is an election campaign.

A completely unprepared
senior politician breaks down on air.

It's great TV!

It's been a long day.

"Know well what leads you forward
and what hold you back,

and choose the path
that leads to wisdom."

Can we patch this up at all?

Look!

BIRGITTE NYBORG IN FREE FALL

Page after page after page!

We can't. And they write...

- It's obscene.
- Yes.

- But it's...
- It's a swamp.

I know things look bleak.
Hello, friends.



Of course they are being hard on her.
She's a party chairman.

She's a former PM.
They show no mercy if she's...

less than brilliant.

That being said,
we must tell a new story.

New story? There isn't one.
The story is that she lost it.

Good morning.

There is something
I want to talk to you about.

I would prefer that only the leadership
participates in the meeting, so...

please step outside.

Hmm.

I have had surgery
for precancerous tissue in one breast.

I am now undergoing radiation therapy,

with ten days to go
until hopefully declare me fit.

I hope you understand
why I have not told anyone.

But yesterday tells me it is no use
pretending it hasn't affected me.

You have all had to struggle
with the results, especially Katrine.

I will have to cut back a bit.

I promise I won't take on
more than I can manage.

We have to talk about how we're
going to present this to the media

I was thinking that
we shouldn't involve the press,

but rather keep it in...

this closed circle.

I doubt if we can keep it secret.

You'll get loads of understanding...

and sympathy.

We'll miss out on that
if you keep it secret.

I don't intend to go
for the sympathy vote.

It would serve as
a good explanation for last night.

I know, but I'd really
rather keep it between us.

I'm not dead.

"YOU HAVE A STANCE..."

Something wrong?

What time did you get home?

2:00 or 3:00 a.m.

4:00 a.m.

You had a shower...

and buried your shirt
at the bottom of the basket.

I had been at work all day.
I was sweating. It smelled like...

Did you sleep with someone?

No, Karoline. No.

No.

Have you, Torben?

No, I mean, I...

Damn it.

It just happened.

Karoline...

- Just a one night stand.
- Who is she?

I can't even remember her name.
An assistant. It's...

You don't know her.

- I'm sorry, it was a mistake.
- A mistake?

I am sorry, darling, I've got to go.

- Don't go!
- We'll discuss it tonight.

Torben!

Torben!

Okay, I just love the front page
of Berlingske! "Ruthless debate."

Whoo!

Bravo!

What's going on?

We're front page news, Torben!
Come here.

Our ratings are going through the roof.
We've set a new bar for politics on TV.

At floor level.

We're looking behind
the facade of politics.

We will show them triumph,

we'll show them fall,

and we'll show them rise again.
That's how we'll win this election.

See you, Alex.

We've been found out.

- What?
- Yes. Karoline knows.

She asked directly...

I said it was just once.
She doesn't know it's you.

You don't have to say anything.

But...

Hi! Torben. It'd be nice to know
what we're doing next.

We need to have a chat about
the party presentation videos.

Top politicians are under immense pressure
during an election.

Even Birgitte Nyborg can have
an off day. That's all there is to it.

She isn't the only member of the party,
you know.

Jon Berthelsen
is proposing a tax reform...

EXPRESS KNOWS THAT BIRGITTE IS ILL

It's out.

Kåre Søndergaard from Express
left a message. I haven't called back.

We've one chance to control this.
We need to tell the story ourselves.

Use one medium: TV.
TV2 does emotional best.

And they're a good choice
what with my past job at TV1.

It'll be brief, matter-of-fact,
and unsentimental.

And then we return to talking politics.

For the next 24 hours you are going
to be talking about your illness.

It's the biggest personal story
of the whole election.

We'll shoot it here.
You are at work. You are not ill.

You are professional.

Who will you give it to?

Dorte Brix.

She is Denmark's darling.
They love her in Jutland.

And she honors agreements.

No questions about her family.
Only questions about Birgitte.

Sure, that is fine.

- Have you got everything you need?
- Yes.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Jon, Sejrø, and Nete are reviewing
our previous ideas on the economy.

We'll need to appear
extra informed now.

Everything must be fully accounted for.

Yeah. I'll see too that.

Okay?

Of course.

- Ready?
- Yeah.

- Thank you for giving us time.
- Of course.

Breast cancer is very serious.

It must have been a shock?

I must stress that I got off lightly.

BIRGITTE NYBORG TALKING
ABOUT HER CANCER

Thousands of Danish women get it a year,

many far worse than me.

Do you have a message for Danish
women who get breast cancer?

I have personally now certainly come
to appreciate the importance of...

I HAVE CALLED 8 TIMES. PLEASE ANSWER.

...the treatment guarantees
my government enacted.

The papers have been hard on
your performance last night...

Why are we not doing that?

Huh?

Why do the New Democrats
choose TV2 for this and not us?

We're in the middle of an election.
Get your acts together!

I think they understand
where I'm coming from now.

I am feeling fine.
I am receiving treatment.

I am working alongside my
talented fellow party members.

My illness is irrelevant
in term of the election;

from now on it's all politics.

- Hi!
- Hi, Mom!

- Hi, darling!
- Hi.

Have you missed me?

No.

Who sent all these flowers?

All kinds of fools who care for you.
Fools like me.

Thank you.

Jeremy is trying to reach you.

He actually messaged me on Facebook

asking you to call him back.

Okay, super, I'll call him in a moment.

Laura, I just...

I need a word with Mom.

Yes.

If you need me to take the kids,
just say so.

Great.

I am mainly worried about Magnus.

Yeah. He is afraid of losing you.

Tell him he is not going to.

He'll believe it coming from you.

Sure, will do.
And remember to take care of yourself.

I am.

- I want you to...
- I'll survive.

Sure.

- They are beautiful.
- They are. Call that boyfriend of yours.

Sure...

What?

How do I make him understand
he needs to keep his distance?

Why?

I can't take any more people
being worried about me.

There is an election going on
and he is fantastic

but I don't have enough hours in the day

to be a mediocre girlfriend,
a mediocre mom, and fight an election.

Good thing I'm not your boyfriend!

It is incredibly
courageous of Birgitte Nyborg to go public

and talk so frankly about her illness.

Is she fishing for votes?

No, it's far too serious for that.

- Have a good day!
- Bye!

Is it tactics,
announcing her illness? Is it spin?

No. Cancer is too serious for that.

I don't believe it was a one-night stand.

It's been going on longer.

On August 24th when you went away
on that leadership seminar...

You seem to be the only one who went.

I phoned your secretary and
she said it never even took place.

Tell me who she is.

Who is she?

Who is she, Torben?

- Tell me!
- Pia.

Your editorial secretary, Pia?

Fire her.

- I can't, not just like that.
- Have her transferred.

- I can't!
- You can't work with her all day.

Yeah, okay, I'll transfer her.

As you know we'll be going live
tomorrow at 8:00.

You get a few minutes of introduction.
Then we'll run the election videos.

Finally, you'll be given five to 10
minutes of discussion

depending on how long
we spend on the videos.

Oh, there you are? Any comments
as regards the running order?

Right.

Anything else?

It'd be nice if our video
could be discussed

with a different tone from the usual.

What tone might that be?

That know-it-all
Copenhagen-centric irony

applied to everything
the Freedom Party stands for.

Can you drop that?

I expect the video will include
wheat fields and Danish flags.

You get it!

Should we talk about
why it so narrow-minded?

You don't exactly represent
the masses yourself, do you?

Denmark's most popular presenter.

Designer shirt, iPad

and take-out coffee
rather than the in-house coffee.

Gosh!

You've been saving all that up?

Uh, Svend Åge. I understand
your video isn't quite ready yet.

We need to review it.

I am meeting Thorsen and Carsten Bjerre
to decide on a joint position.

We won't get all we're hoping for,

but we must have something
to put on the negotiating table.

- Got anything for me?
- Yes. Education.

Not closing small schools?

How do we fund them?

Long term it'll pay for itself.

The costs of keeping
small schools open

is nothing compared to
the revenue it generates locally

- because people don't move away.
- Great.

Anything else?

And we are insisting on keeping
special needs classes

rather than forcing kids into
normal classes and saving on teachers

and calling it "inclusion".

Great.

We need a rally in Copenhagen
in a few day's time.

With a united opposition we must show
that we are an independent party.

- Good idea.
- In light of the positive press coverage

we should pick a big venue.

- That won't be an issue for us.
- Yeah.

Am I late?

No, no, not at all.

Hello.

Hi.

We decided to make good use of the time
and had a little chat.

- We were sorry to hear you were ill.
- Thanks.

Labour and the Greens offer our condol...

- We're sorry.
- Great.

Have a seat.

Did you read my proposal?

Yes, we have.

But the joint manifesto
has already been settled.

What?

We're confident you'll
agree to it when you're read it.

OUR DENMARK

"Our Denmark." What's all this?

Our vision for Danish society.

How long have you been working on this?

We're not even mentioned.

I won't add you until you have
had a chance to read it, Birgitte.

But I want to stress that
it is not open to negotiation.

It's no secret that the Greens and
the Labour Party have always been close.

So obviously it's self-evident
that overall opposition policy

arises from that fellowship.

We see the New Democrats as
an important part of the new government.

I expect to see you
at the press conference tomorrow.

We must present a united front.

A united front?

When you have decided on
all the policy issues in advance

under a title my people will find
hard enough to swallow as it is?

"Our Denmark" is great!

No!

The New Democrats have to make our mark
before we can approve anything.

Birgitte, we know
you are having a very hard time.

You have a lot to contend with.

Your performance on TV
the other night had consequences.

We feel it will be best for everyone

if you take a back seat for a while.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Is Dan around?
- He's at lunch.

Karoline knows it's you.

I mean, she knows it's us.

She's completely losing it.

She can't stand us
working so closely together...

Stop, stop, stop. Torben, stop.

Why are you telling me this?

Because I am hoping...

you'll understand my decision to
transfer you to the documentary unit.

- The documentary unit?
- Temporarily, of course.

What am I meant to do there?

Sorry, but I can't go home
unless I transfer you.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

Not a word about education.

It's an old school socialist manifesto.

- Søren, what do you think?
- The worst thing is that it won't work.

Every single one of these proposals

were analyzed by
the labor market commission I sat on.

We couldn't recommend any of them.

They simply aren't effective.

- Can you be more specific?
- Sure.

For example, the millionaire tax.
Sounds great, right?

But there is no real revenue in it.

And it's a damaging signal
to anyone wanting to start a business.

I agree.

Is there any possibility
of us changing anything?

Include our education proposals?

Thorsen says take it or leave it.

I don't think I can vote for this.

It'd be media suicide
to break ranks with the opposition.

It'd be suicide in any case, wouldn't it?

But with this presidential election idea,
we have to back someone.

We should consider
backing Hesselboe.

And promise to prop up the Moderates?

We'd no longer be a party.

By backing Thorsen
we still have a reason for existence.

Tomorrow, we'll say we agree
with the joint project.

And then try to get as many of
our own views out there as possible.

And that sound bite
during the intro?

Yeah.

There he is!

You're late!

There is an election on.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Yes.

The video is finished.

You're all dolled up.

I've just been to a rally
at this fancy school.

Benedikte, may I ask you a question?
Stays between us, all right?

How much do you
play on your appearance?

About as much as you, I should think.

Yes?

I can't spend more time on that right now.
Let's talk later.

That's good. Bye.

- Let's look at the video.
- Yeah.

Wheat fields. I knew it.

Just for you. All of it.

- You are very insistent, aren't you?
- And you are very alluring.

Be nice to me in the studio.

Otherwise I might not be able to do this.

Oh, fuck!

Just a moment, just a moment.

Yes?

Hi.

It is simply old-fashioned.

I can't really defend it...

That's how it is.

I put out a feeler to the Liberals.

They...

know some of us want to be
in the government after the election.

He must simply not be allowed
to gather all his old supporters.

Yes, of course it will be nasty,
but Saltum uses the same methods.

What are you doing?

Ask Torben.

Did you transfer Pia?

Uh, documentary needs help.

During an election?

It sometimes helps to put pressure on
new people like Lise.

Pia has all the important shows.
You can't shove them all onto Lise.

- Of course not. Tom will be helping.
- Tom?

"I have been on web content
since my heart attack" Tom?

If you remove our best director,
we'll have to talk to the bosses.

Pia, Pia.

We need to talk.

I don't know what came into me.
You aren't going to documentaries.

Stay with us. We can't do without you.

Okay?

Sorry.

- Nice to see you.
- Same to you.

Hans Christian.

Today the opposition...

presents its joint manifesto,
"Our Denmark".

Our vision for a Denmark based on welfare,

fair distribution of resources,
and solidarity.

Please save your questions for the end.

First of all, Carsten Bjerre and I will go
over the booklet point by point.

Thank you, Hans Christian.

A Denmark of solidarity,
a future-proof Denmark,

our Denmark.

Thank you.

Were all the policies drawn up
by the Greens and the Labour Party?

And agreed on with
the New Democrats.

Can Birgitte confirm that?

Naturally.

So you support the millionaire tax

you have hitherto opposed?

Yes. Cooperation requires
compromise and sacrifices.

But as a party

we have independent measures on
other areas such as education...

Today we are gathered here

to present the opposition's joint vision

and not each party's own.

Are there any New Democrat
fingerprints on any of this manifesto?

Birgitte Nyborg has had
enough on her plate recently.

We fully sympathize.

The party has signed up
under the opposition flag

and declared its unequivocal
support for me as its leader.

Can Birgitte Nyborg confirm that?

Yes.

We can't give up now.
We must put our own policies across.

Which nobody wants to hear about.

But the battle is not lost.

Is it, Nete?

- No.
- No!

We started with Nescafe and a white board

and got this far. We're not done yet!

Perhaps we should book
a smaller venue for the rally.

- Or it could be embarrassing.
- I'll see to it.

But... If we are going
to break through in the media

we will have to make use
of all the press contacts we've got.

I'll call TV1, of course. Erik, you...

Well, I know the editor of Radio 1,
Zealand, an old school chum.

Great.

And the papers...
Jon, you have a friend at Politiken?

Super. And Nete?

Yeah, I'll come up with someone.

Great. Um...

We'll brief them that we're announcing
new measures tomorrow. Okay?

Hi, Bjørn! I actually got a hold of you.

No, it's about a paper...

- Hi, sweetie.
- Hi, Hanne, I have a good story for you.

It better be good.

Torben is extremely disappointed that
you gave Birgitte's illness to TV2.

Yes, but now you're getting this.
New Democrats have an education reform.

We want to bring back village schools.

- Just mail us the proposal.
- I'd like to set up an interview.

Nete and maybe Birgitte.
But only to talk politics.

We're concentrating on
"Our Denmark" as the top story.

"Our Denmark" has nothing on education.
We do.

That's our proposal.

You know how it is. You're a tiny party.

We prefer to talk to the big ones.
Sorry, but that's how it is.

Okay. See you.

It's just not right!

Chill, Nete.
Let's try a bit of optimism!

We can't all find an exciting
new media job

if this thing goes down the tubes, can we?

No, I'm sorry.

Truly, I'm sorry.

What are you doing here?

Laura let me in.

Oh. But I told you...

I can't see you while I am campaigning.
It's just not possible.

You can't see me?

Are you completely crazy?

You tell me you've had, in secrecy,
an operation for cancer

and you expect me
to stay away from you?

I can't do that, I am afraid.

I am in love with you.

I know you have a busy schedule,
I know you don't have time for anything

but I don't care.

You just take all the time you need.

Do what you have to do.

And when you get home...

I'll be here, okay?

On November 8th,

you will decide
whether to preserve Denmark.

It is still your Denmark.

It is still up to you.

FREEDOM PARTY
WE TAKE CARE OF DENMARK

Saltum, is it always summer and billowing
wheat fields when you close your eyes?

The Freedom party focuses on what's
fine and beautiful about Denmark.

It's what we love.

Those are the values
we cherish and protect.

That sounds great,

but when will your party
join the government?

Don't you want to participate
in making the decisions?

Under my leadership the Freedom Party

has grown slowly but surely
for the last ten years.

We've supported the
Hesselboe government.

We have left our mark in
every single political area.

Benedikte Nedergaard, what does
the younger wing of the party say?

Daddy knows best?

We have always spoken frankly...

Could the Freedom Party
help form a government?

Where did that come from?

I don't rule out that
the Freedom Party will one day

form part of the government.

That is what politics is about.

Isn't it a problem when the chairman
doesn't want to be in government

but the deputy chair really wants to?

Benedikte Nedergaard
is entitled to her opinions.

But it's the chairman
who decides the party line.

Three stay on Saltum.

And his name is Svend Åge Saltum.

That's settled then.

Yes, the Freedom Party is still
one big happy family.

Thank you for joining us.

Ulrik, where did that come from?

Hey, what was that?

What are you up to?

What do you know?
Who have you talked to?

That's a very good question.

Did you eavesdrop on my phone call?

That is unconscionable.

As unconscionable as seducing me
so I'd go gently on you.

You are an asshole.

An asshole who does his job.

Jon.

Now?

Yes.

- Good morning, Birgitte.
- Fresh polls?

Yes.

They're not very good.

We're being punished for being
a small party and for selling out.

At least the press is now
mauling the Freedom Party.

The Moderates are presenting
a proposal on education on TV1.

- Now?
- Yes!

It costs more money to shut
small schools than to keep them open.

What about local communities?

They lose their economic base
whenever a small school closes.

We will stop cutbacks
in the name of "inclusion", too.

The Moderates want to make sure kids
with special needs

have special needs classes
with teachers who are experts in the area.

There is no doubt that will...

They're stolen our proposal.

It's theft.

You can't copyright policies,
but that's quite the coincidence.

- How could this have happened?
- I don't understand it.

I know the Moderates have always
been very progressive in this area,

and most of us are former members,
but still.

Ack. It was our proposal
almost word for word.

Well, now we have to
distance ourselves from Kruse.

Can you get me onto a debate with him?
Preferably on live TV.

So I can shove our views in his face.

Brilliant. Thanks.

TV1 will put
Birgitte and Kruse on tonight.

Funnily enough because they think
we dropped our education idea

because it was too close to the Moderates,
but the angle is...

"Is there room for both parties"?

Perfect!

We must emphasize areas where
we are farthest from the Moderates.

What do we have?

Stay away from integration.
It's a loser.

- Yes.
- I agree.

Then there's...

energy?

Kruse has tied himself
to the government's lack of vision there.

We can use that.

Wind power, we have an idea
for a research center.

Wind power is something Kruse
has always written off as too costly.

The electorate is having difficulty

telling the New Democrats
and the Moderates apart.

Both party leaders are here.

Birgitte Nyborg,
do you understand the voters

who can't choose between you?

Kruse says the Moderates
are a party that will back Hesselboe.

And? Can you elaborate?

When I was the Moderates chairman
we had an ambitious green profile.

Kruse tows Hesselboe's line,
which is hardly ambitious.

Kruse, don't you have
any environmental ambitions?

Of course I have.

The Moderates want more wind energy.

We will suggest that much of our power

should come from sustainable sources.

Interesting point, Jacob.

You have consistently voted
against wind power as too costly.

We want to reduce those costs.

We will set up a research center
for wind power.

It will set the standard and make
investing in wind power attractive.

Thank you.
I expect we'll be hearing more.

But in terms of energy perhaps
the two parties are not far apart.

Get this off me.

Somebody is leaking our material
to the Moderates.

People are in and out
of our offices all the time.

It can't be them.

The latest papers were only
available to the party leadership.

It could be us two.

Erik or Jon. Nete.

Ravn. Nadia.

Nadia is hardly ever there.
Ravn hasn't got full access.

He wasn't there when we discussed it.

- Sejrø.
- Never.

It's inconceivable.
It's beyond him.

Disloyalty is the only thing
I absolutely cannot tolerate.

We have to stop this.
I must question all of them.

One by one.

- You can't.
- I have to.

You are party chair.
They mustn't feel you ever suspected them.

I'll do it.

You may need help from somebody
with nothing at stake.

Polls show the electorate

is punishing Birgitte Nyborg and her party

for their practically invisible role
as part of the opposition.

This according to a new poll

following the opposition's
big press conference yesterday.

I seem to be stuck in
an opposition I don't believe in anymore.

So it's...

We're dying as a party

and I have to do something radical,
something...

to break this deadlock.

- If it's not too late.
- If it's not too late?

Excuse me,

but didn't practically win the people
on the night before the election

- when you became PM.
- Yes, but that was another time

and different circumstances.

Yeah, but I'm just saying
you gave your best speech ever.

You did the complete opposite
of what was expected of you.

Perhaps that is what you need to do now.

Good morning.

Birgitte, what is going on?

If we begin to doubt each other
the party will be devoured from within.

Bent, sit down.

There are secretaries and campaign staff
out there that mustn't hear this.

Information is flowing from our
innermost circles to the Moderates.

We must find the culprit.

It must be Jon, Erik, or Nete.

Kruse will speak before Birgitte
in the panel debate tonight.

Ravn and I will brief the three
on what Birgitte's going to stress.

But each briefing will be different
and then we'll see

which briefing Kruse draws on.

Brief them on their specialties.
It'll arouse least suspicion.

Good idea. Nete, integration,

Jon the tax moratorium and Erik, justice.

Make sure they're all assembled here
before I go on TV.

Yeah.

The little hall has been booked.
We'll have to use the big one

- Can't we cancel?
- We've already announced it.

The media would love it if it was leaked
that we can fill our own hall.

We need to find some more people.

There is another matter.

I haven't had a wink of sleep.
I've been thinking.

Those of us who founded this party
staked everything.

It mustn't go to waste.

I am afraid that unless
we do something drastic

we won't make it.

But I believe
I have figured out what to do.

I want to share this with you

before anyone else sees it.

Please read it.

This could finish us.

Better that than fading away.

Of course, I have to inform
everyone who matters.

If this leaks, we are dead.

We'll use two presenters tonight,
Ulrik and Hanne

to get more flexibility.

After the panel debate
Ulrik and I will sum up.

- The intro will be on the teleprompter.
- What a cushy job!

- What?
- You just have to read aloud!

- And think of the salary!
- I am green with envy.

Pia, I thought you'd been transferred.

Pardon me, but it's because Torben
has had a little affair with Pia.

I have repeatedly asked for them not
to work together

but it hasn't happened.

Uh, Karo, can we talk in my office?

I can't transfer her.

I tried. The others tore my head off.

I had to take her back. But it's over.

I would like the house key.

Why?

You can stay and sleep here.

Without your family bothering you.

Torben, give me the key.

Give me the key, Torben.

- What about the kids?
- You've never shown any interest.

Why begin now?

So we're going to launch
a proposal on justice tonight.

The age of criminal responsibility
should be changed back to 15.

Yes. Of course.

Fourteen year olds are still children.

Precisely.

- Is there something wrong?
- No, that's all.

- I've talked to Erik and Nete.
- I've talked to Jon.

This is not exactly pleasant.

I know.

But...

we'll all meet here tonight.

When people are back at the office.

How do we know the culprit
will go straight to Kruse?

We don't.

I am pleased you're here.

It's a great help to the party.

Want to come out for a smoke?

I've given up, unfortunately.

Sensible.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- I thought you might need it.
- Thank you.

We've had no clues yet.

- Just give me a signal.
- I will.

Birgitte will be joining us shortly.

I have asked the campaign staff
to go outside.

We need to talk about

an extremely dangerous situation.

Someone's passing our ideas and plans
on to the Moderates.

It is destroying our campaign.

And...

the mole must be one
of the people in this room.

These past few days all
our internal political discussions

are getting to Kruse.

Our slogans are being snatched

by the Moderates

and our rallies are being sabotaged.

We all have friends among the Moderates.
We share many views.

We are way beyond coincidence.

One of us, you say?

There is another reason we're here.

Birgitte has also made a vital
decision on our political line.

It's...

You, the leadership,
have to be informed before we announce it.

But we can't begin
to discuss it until we've...

agreed some ground rules.

So you're telling us
to keep our traps shut.

Please give me your mobile phones.

Seriously, on! What the hell?

Do not leave this room until
the party leader debate is over.

How nice to feel like a grown-up!

I am not giving up my phone.

I'm sorry. It's the only way
we can prevent a leak.

Do you agree?

Thank you.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

Let me start by saying...

that we have a viable party.

We have professional communications,

competent candidates,

sustainable policies,
and people who can promote them.

Yet it is as if
all this is of no real use.

We are stuck.

So I hope you'll support me
in what I intend to do next.

It's about our right to exist
and our survival as a party.

Ulrik, can I stand beside Lindenkrone?

Come with me, Carsten.
You've got a lovely spot.

Ladies and gentlemen,
take your places. Yeah?

We'll ask for a new glass
for you in a moment...

Week two of the election campaign

and the tension is growing.

Who is the next prime minister of Denmark?

Hans Christian Thorsen
or Lars Hesselboe?

The reds are catching up with the
blues but Hesselboe is still solid.

But he will be challenged
on tonight's program.

Welcome to the party leader debate.

I'd very much like it
if I didn't have to talk all night

about the so-called rebellion

against the party leader
in the Freedom Party.

Thank you. Jakob Kruse?

How do the Moderates
intend to set the agenda?

You seem keen to distance yourself
from the New Democrats.

The Moderates will do
as we've always done.

We will do what our
voters have asked us to do.

I would like to point out...

One major reason for the foundation
of the New Democrats

was to make us look as if
we are against integration.

It's a trifle tiring.

Let's dispel such
misunderstandings right away.

The Moderates are preparing several
measures in the integration area...

This is absurd.

I'd like to...

It's definitely something
we'll get back to, Jacob Kruse.

Lars Hesselboe, I have seen you.

But I'd like to put the ball
in your court, Birgitte Nyborg.

Why even have the New Democrats

when the Moderates
are open to negotiation on integration?

Yes, Ulrik.

Absolutely.

As Jacob Kruse has said

that a vote for the Moderates
is a vote for Lars Hesselboe,

we are definitely needed.

Of course you might also ask

if a vote for the New Democrats
is just a vote for Thorsen.

Exactly.

The opposition has counted on us
without giving us any influence

on the proposed policies.

As a party we can't live with that.

We hereby disassociate ourselves
from the bloc politics

we've seen so far.

- Whoa. What?
- Camera two.

Stay with her.

The New Democrats are no longer
part of the united opposition.

We are no longer backing Thorsen for PM.

Who are you going to back?

- Nobody.
- Yourselves?

We will cooperate with whoever
can help us promote our policies.

But people won't know who
they're voting for if they vote for you.

We do have a multi-party system
in this country, Ulrik.

A vote for the New Democrats
is a vote for the New Democrats.

Keep asking her.

You can't not back someone,
Birgitte Nyborg!

You bet I can! Last week you let me
keep things complicated.

This week you must
let me keep things simple.

Right?

The New Democrats will pursue
New Democrat policies,

not other people's.

Can I interject?

Lots of comments.
Lars Hesselboe, a short comment?

How interesting to learn

Nyborg no longer backs Thorsen.

I just want to say...

Were you afraid we'd lose?

How dare you?
Do you realize what you've done?

Bent.

Nete, sit down.

Thanks.

Please stay here with me.

Birgitte wants to talk to you.
She is on her way.

Okay.

You'll do the intro there...
And we'll turn to three.

- Yeah. And then you take over.
- Yes.

- On camera three.
- Great.

- A word?
- Sure.

That was one cool program.

Nyborg's bid to go it alone
will be front page news again.

- Thanks.
- Well done.

- We liked it too.
- Great.

One other thing...

- We're about to go on air.
- I hear your wife dropped by.

You promised me the affair
was over a long time ago.

Your little affair is affecting your work.
Way beyond what I can accept.

- Alex, I can explain.
- No need.

- Five seconds.
- Sort out your life.

Five seconds.

And give us a fantastic show.

And go!

Go ahead!

Good evening and welcome
to Your Vote.

We've got the party leader debate covered
with lots of analysis

and a look at how the parties
stand as we enter week three.

Welcome, Torben, our political editor.

ULRIK: THANK YOU, TORBEN

Thank you, Torben.

You have always been my hero.

Do you know that?

I am your biggest fan.

At that press conference with Thorsen

you were so compliant.

You just conceded.

You did as you were told.

You were weak.

You were not Birgitte.

You had lost your touch.

Was it you who contacted Kruse?

I always did like him.

He phoned me after the press conference.

A hand reaching out
before the ship goes down?

What did he offer you?

A return to the party?

A cabinet post at the right time?

I want to make a difference.

For who, Nete?

Mainly for yourself, I fear.

In politics, the things that really matter

take time.

I hope you will see that one day.

You are through with this party.

I thought you quit?

You have a stance...

Aren't you starving?

In that room is a candidate
who is no longer part of the party.

So I'll be spending the next few hours
canceling agreements and debates.

We have an event tomorrow
in a hall that is far too large.

We haven't enough bums to fill the seats.

It's going to be embarrassing
and it is my fault, so...

You need to eat.

Come on.

And now anything could happen.

Cue outro.

And with that point made by Torben Friis
we say thank you for joining us.

Thank you, Torben.

Thank you, Ulrik.

And outro start.

What the hell are you doing?

Were you trying to make a fool of me?

Torben, are you okay?

- Torben?
- Yes?

Easy now.

Torben?

- I'm sorry...
- Relax.

I can't...

Birgitte Nyborg's
withdrawal of backing for Thorsen

is front page news today...

Birgitte Nyborg has made the right move...

This morning's poll shows that voters

have confidence in Birgitte Nyborg.

- Birgitte...
- Thanks.

It was completely the right move
to leave the opposition.

To go it alone.
I wanted to say it yesterday.

We are alone
but stronger than ever before.

Have you seen the papers?

Katrine, did we get the little hall?

- The Moderates still have it.
- They won't need it.

No need to worry about that now.

Yesterday's suit?

Sleeping at the office now?

- Yes.
- Ambitious.

Thank you.

BORGEN is a work of fiction
inspired by real events.

The series references historical figures

and events in Danish politics
prior to 1982.