The Candidates

TV 2 presents the viewers to the core of power - usually a restricted area to the public and media. There are no closed doors or secret meetings in the documentary programme The Candidates. This program is a significant chance to very closely experience the two main characters of the most recent general election, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen and Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, and simultaneously acquire a highly insightful view of Danish politics. The general election of March 11, 1998 was in many ways focussed on the twomain candidates: the Social Democratic prime minister, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, and his opponent from the liberal party, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen. A tv crew followed each of the candidates up close for the final three weeks before election day and eloquently portrayed an intense duel between the opponents. The programme follows the political rivals´ strategic considerations, the discussions with advisors and party colleagues and the way the media is handled. Furthermore, the dramatic election night is followed very closely. The Candidates concentrates on the drama that unfolds backstage and on the events which determined the closest and most intense election campaign in many years - of which the result had serious consequences for the defeated candidate.