Toppen - First Season

-The election is just around the corner. -Yes, indeed.

How's it looking for the incumbent government, the Democratic Coalition?

The polls published today were a downer.

Hi, boss, sorry, but what's the address?

Everyone's wondering if the Prime Minister will step down.

Sorry, found your e-mail, see you.

-He did say he wouldn't, right? -Yes, but the rumors persist.

He's been in power for over a decade and is turning 70 in May.

ELECTION CAMPAIGN

We, the New Conservatives, and the entire opposition,

have long felt a change is needed for our country.

What will be the most important campaign issue?

It's too early to tell...

BAN ELECTRIC SCOOTERS NOW!

...and in the end, it's up to the voters.

They ought to lower the petrol tax, I think.

Raise the pensions, I say.

You should be able to bring your cat to the cinema.

It sucks that they're not allowed.

The issues abound, but one thing is for sure,

a thrilling and fast-paced election campaign awaits us.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

The Secretary of Welfare giving an award is not a big draw, it seems.

-Kind of like a sad children's party. -It isn't all that bad.

So you only had two friends as a kid?

SPÅNGA MUNICIPALITY FIGHT FOR WELLNESS 2022

-Okay, it looks pretty bad. -Yes, it does.

And Roxanne is going to react pretty badly.

Oh, right.

Maybe we should call her and cancel?

-What? -Tell her there was a mix-up.

Yes, but this is her job, it's democracy. Sorry.

I'll call her to prepare her instead.

You can do that, but it might also be weird.

Okay, let's do this.

Roxanne, I hope you had a lovely morning.

-Did you see the study? -The SCB poll? Sure, but--

Okay...

"The PM was voted most popular

"among ministers, followed by the Minister for Health and Social Affairs."

Blah, blah, and then some columns here.

-And finally, there I am. -What does it say?

-Et... -Et al?

-I know that. -The respondents are a bunch of trolls.

It might even be rigged.

-Russian bots or something. -That's enough.

-Can I have a cereal bar? -Sure.

You're a newly appointed minister. You haven't had your time to shine.

You'll have a column of your own soon.

-Yeah, it might feel tough now-- -No, it's not that.

I whitened my teeth again yesterday, and they were aching all night.

-The whitening agent is old, I think. -I'm sure.

Could that be dangerous?

No, absolutely not. It's not dangerous.

-Looks good, doesn't it? -Yeah, they're... white.

Both the upper and lower ones.

But, hey, you know, we have a pretty full schedule today, so maybe we shouldn't...

...prioritize this event?

-Is the square empty again? -The crowd is spare to half sparse.

But I'll take care of it. I'll call them and say something came up.

You go to the office and have a relaxing start.

-Yeah, let's do that today. -Great! Bill can ride with you.

Then you sit up front. And I choose the music.

Put on Blümchen. Always Blümchen.

-Nice choice. -Hey, Lisa?

-Yeah? -Take this.

-Sure. -I can't eat it. My tooth aches too much.

-Amin? -Sure.

Okay, see you at the office. Bye.

-Yes, this is Daniel. -Hi, this is Lisa Langås,

-press secretary to the Welfare Minister. -Right. Hi.

-Are you on your way? -See, she would've liked to be there--

-What's that sound? -What was that?

-Are you here? -No, we're at a car dealership,

talking about... fuck... different unions,

that's different unions for various automotive industries.

So it's a bit noisy. The Minister sends her regards. Take care, bye!

So what does the Ministry of Welfare actually do?

Like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with foreign aid, diplomacy, and export,

we deal with issues concerning welfare.

And...

Right there, welfare.

After the last election, the government decided this is important to people.

So with the help of some magic and penial debates...

I said penal, nothing else.

-Oh, hey, Pingis. -Hi.

-So my card isn't working again. -It's an ongoing technical disruption.

Could you call someone and fix it so I can get in?

-Yes. I did. -Really?

Check it out. Our new coffee maker arrived.

-Wow, great, and it only took... -Eight months.

-Yeah, hi. -And the manual seems to be in Cantonese.

-Isn't she great? -Sure is,

but will you call again about this, so I can get in?

-Sure. -Perfect. And, Berivan... Mood check.

-Seven and a half? -Okay, great.

Hi! My, that's a practical solution!

Smart, right? No pain at all.

-Exactly. -I feel a bit like some overgrown baby.

Only babies don't drink coffee.

Saga, anything new on social media?

Sure, something about people using boiling sugar on their face as a peel.

What? Does that really work?

News relating to our work, I mean. The political situation, you know?

Exactly. What's the political situation like? Is it up or is it... down?

I should say it's a bit more down, right?

It depends on how you look at it.

We ought to make a splash to get the voter's attention.

We could organize a fundraising gala.

You know, a Live AIDS concert, like they do in the US. It's common.

I think it's "Live Aid"...

And it's an election year, and public opinion is likely to shift--

No, look! Now he's on TV as well. Mr. Big Column.

-Exactly. -He does have that Big Column energy.

-I'll check what his wife looks like. -Like a graph, probably.

Well, I certainly did my part for the next generation.

Nice, Janne. So we'll count on 25 new votes in a few years.

Wow, they really grilled me. Questions about all kinds of things...

My heart rate was...

...164, that can't be right.

You know it's not enough just to wear that thing? You have to work out too.

I'm getting there!

Yes, Pingis? Yes, I saw it arrived.

Kaminsky called for me? All right.

Okay, you can... Put him through.

What? He's here? Right now?

Yes, he is. And looking downright handsome too.

Okay. Everybody leave the room! Right now!

-I need to take this meeting alone. -Who's Kaminsky?

-Not you, Lisa! -All right.

-I said "alone," not "helpless." -Right, of course.

-Okay, well... -Stay.

Let's hope he's not shutting us down.

Who's this geezer that makes everyone so jumpy?

He's the geezer of geezers.

That really clarifies stuff.

Kaminsky's the Party's election manager.

When he's involved, something big is in the works. Remember 2018?

The Foreign Minister got nabbed in customs with illegal rifles and a stuffed monkey?

-No. -Exactly.

-Kaminsky's doing. -Quiet. He's here.

-You seem to have settled in nicely. -Yes, we're happy here.

So, what's on your mind?

I'm sure your hands are filled with... election stuff.

The Party wants Roxanne as a driving force for the election

and a mainstay for the whole campaign. Interested?

-Excuse me? -The Party wants...

Yes, I heard. I just thought...

We want to broaden the campaign, and Roxanne is a...

...shining star in the Party's firmament.

-I... -Perhaps the brightest of them all.

-Of course we accept. -Great. How nice.

We'll announce it next week, then.

What's the next step? Should we draft a press release?

The Party is facing criticism for our part in making vapes available for the youth.

What does that mean?

We'll need someone from the Party on TV at three o'clock.

TV? You mean... a televised debate?

But isn't this an issue for the Health Minister?

Micke will be busy with budget matters today.

-Do you have more important things to do? -No, we can do it.

We can, and then some. We sure can.

Great. We'll e-mail you some info. Bye.

Hugs!

-Right. -Bye.

It's happening, Lisa. This is the first step

towards me becoming Prime Minister.

What was that all about?

Guess who will be the Party's new driving force?

-Me! -What?

-For real? -Choo-choo, here we go!

-Hard work really pays off. -Indeed.

But, Lisa, what were you saying about Mikael?

-I just thought... -This is my time to shine.

Exactly. You're totally right.

-It's a lot to process, that's all. -Not to me.

Yes! Champagne!

Here's some extra info, so you can prepare yourself.

"A non-smoking Sweden by 2025." That's overly optimistic, isn't it?

-How about 2030? -Better stick to the stated goals.

-Try not to deviate from the text. -Just kidding.

No need to worry. I'm focused.

-Good. -How should I wear my hair, Saga?

You should really go for bangs, I think.

I mean now.

Then there's not much you can do.

Someone from the Parent's Association Against Tobacco will be there,

claiming that e-cigarettes are marketed at young people.

I know. And I'll say that we are taking this issue seriously,

we are launching an inquiry, the existing legislation is lacking, and so on.

I am capable of memorizing stuff, Lisa.

Relax! Remember my motto, everyone?

No.

-"Hakuna Matata." -That's right.

Time to bid farewell to this old thing!

-Wanna come to the funeral? -No.

Come on!

Will you do the honors, madam?

You tried, but your coffee actually tasted like farts!

-Exactly. -Bye.