This just came for you.
With compliments from Sganarelle
Road Assistance: flat tire Customer: Christophe Lavoué
-Yes? -I agree with you.
There are no friendships in politics.
Look at the name at the top of the page:
Christophe Lavoué, one of my activists.
He helped me the day that I had the flat tire while moving
your damned piano.
Don't do this, Philippe.
It's up to you. You protect me, I'll protect you.
Vero, meet my lawyer, Ms. Ziegler.
Make it quick. I'm due back at the Ministry.
-What do you mean? -What don't you get?
Philippe, you're going to be indicted.
It doesn't mean I have to quit my job.
The judge will visit me at the Ministry. I'll stick to my version.
Financing the union?
We worked on the audio transcription.
I'm unassailable. Explain.
Joel warned Philippe the police would search.
He told him how he got the funds for the strike
with money from the OHL.
Philippe was flabbergasted.
You're not going to keep lying?
Yep. If not, we'll all go to jail.
According to French law, lying is a right.
The recording contains no real offence. Philippe asked a man to lie.
He used his right to defend himself and others.
The strike goes on. Workers tire.
Yes, it's brutish, but legal.
Legally, there's nothing!
You asked Joel to take the blame. That proves you knew.
It proves I aimed to protect the last presidential election.
I told him to claim it was for gambling debts,
not to finance the strike.
It was personal, not political.
Veronique, I think the judge will ask to see you.
-Did you listen to the recording? -What do you mean?
You have the transcription, but did you listen to the audio?
Who cares about my voice? This isn't theater.
It's a court case in progress.
It all fits, Vero.
Don't worry. We've both been through worse.
In other words here...
What dirt do we have on the judge? Is he in politics?
He's in a small, independent union. He's a highly respected judge.
I need all-around support, in the party, here at Matignon, etc.
Now for Kalhenberg.
Daniel? Sorry.
Ah, Daniel. I'm glad you've come. Did you listen to the recording?
"You're like a guy who drinks alone in his car before going home."
-Ghastly! I suggest... -No.
We can't make Philippe resign.
-Can't we? -No, we can't.
I messed up royally... My divorce...
I was at a loss and I accepted financial help from Philippe.
-He gave you the money? -Yes.
Médiapart got that bit right.
200,000 euros. But I didn't know from where.
-That's good. -Why? What were you thinking?
Nothing... I...
I'll make him resign, but I need some time.
You can't. He'll bring us all down with him.
I'm the head of this administration. I'm responsible.
I'll talk to him. For now, we must reassure him.
If he thinks he's safe, he'll never resign.
I know him. Any insults and he'll torch everything.
Starting with me! You don't want that.
-Of course not. -Then, stay focused on Europe!
Once the EU Parliament says yes, I'll be on safe ground.
-Go away! -Let me see her!
-You'll upset her even more. -Let me tell her!
-What? -What happened with Joel.
-Bad idea. -It's not like people think!
Let me see Salome!
Mom's right. I don't want to see you.
Salome! Give me a few minutes!
Listen to me!
-Hello, Mr. President. -Hello. Are you feeling better?
It's rough. A migraine. I'm still at home.
Stay home.
Many barons and reporters now know about your affair with Philippe.
-So, protect yourself. -Thanks.
Have you spoken to him?
No, and I'm not up to it.
I understand.
We must make sure that the party doesn't go up in flames.
I rescheduled the national meeting for Friday.
That way, we'll avoid all the drama.
Fine.
Amelie, if you need anything, call me.
-Thanks. -Goodbye.
Goodbye, Mr. President.
Well? Richwaert's resignation?
-He didn't even mention it. -That's reckless!
I told you the OHL deal and divorce are all true.
Laugier is boxed in.
To think he fired me because I spoke of moral errors.
The Left will decide the post-Laugier era.
Or else we'll all be lumped together, sidelined, and berated for 15 years.
What if Rickwaert took the fall to cover for him?
They've been through worse.
Ergo: your strategy of calling Laugier out on moral grounds,
force him to break with Philippe,
and make Philippe tell it all to defend himself.
You talk as if he meant nothing to you.
I know what I'm doing.
Can you guarantee a primary will be held?
I'll be setting it up. I can already tell you who will win.
Mr. Clean: Mirmont.
It's Philippe.
-Hello? -Fanny, how are things?
Fine.
Uh, not really. In fact, not at all.
I can't reach Cyril. What's he doing?
I can't, either. He left after the audio was aired.
Where did he go? I need him.
Philippe, the journalists are driving me crazy.
We'll put out a simple press release.
"I'm innocent. "I needed to talk to my family.
"My priority is battling for jobs."
Write a first draft, OK?
-Yes, I'll try. -Things will work out.
Hold on! Did you see the double-page spread in Libération?
No, why?
It reads: "Explosive Political Couple". It has a photo of you and Amelie.
Gossip magazine material! Who cares?
-Don't worry. -All right.
Get to work.
I got the dirt on Gerard Balleroy.
He's a second-rate swindler, but not an inveterate liar.
To prove his good faith, he asked to see the judge.
All the better, then.
But still, a million euros!
How much will it take to buy him off?
500,000? 300,000?
Fine. You stay firm.
You'll negotiate, but you'll pamper him.
But at the same time, home in on Laugier and his divorce.
-If Rickwaert sinks, Laugier won't... -No, no...
Our priority is Laugier.
His piano, his cousin, his countless lies...
-Laugier is complex. His net worth... -Hey, so what?
I can do a Google search, too!
The Socialists are fluttering like fleas in front of headlights,
while we dither and waddle.
Do you smell napalm at dawn?
Time for the choppers to take off, Boudard.
A press release sent
to France Presse announced that Labor Minister Philippe Rickwaert,
who has been implicated in the Dunkirk OHL case,
has now commented on the recording of his phone call to a union member,
Joel Domfront, the day before his suicide.
Rickwaert is willing to speak with judges,
but has no intention of resigning.
Bastard!
I read the article.
If you deny it, so will I.
Thanks, but I don't plan to comment.
Yeah, that's the best way.
-I need to talk to you. -I'm listening, Philippe.
Not out here.
-Knock it off. -I love you.
I don't want to lose you.
You're insane. Insane.
I'm sorry. I lied, but I didn't know about the divorce.
Francis was upset that he couldn't fund the rally in Reims.
Don't tell me. Save it for the cops!
Do you want me to go to jail?
People are terribly angry.
We must force Francis to resign. Otherwise, the FN swoops in.
You think that would fix things?
Chopping off the king's head? And then what?
-Do you want chaos? -You're running on empty, Philippe.
You're washed up.
You need to admit everything. Don't be scared.
You're only in power because of me!
Here he comes!
Please, sir?
Any comment, sir?
Roll down the window.
What about Joel Domfront?
Miscellaneous Bills
Moving Expenses
Household Inventory
Mr. Boudard? We have something that will interest you.
That's good. Put it all back.
Commitment and Motivation
I'm leaving. Do you need anything, sir?
-No, thanks. You may leave. -Goodnight.
Goodnight.
-Yeah? -Yeah, Philippe, big trouble.
Balleroy changed lawyers and asked to see the judge.
-I'll phone him. -No! He might record you.
You go see him.
Being a lawyer shields you. Ask him how much.
We need a written guarantee that whitewashes us.
I can't, Philippe. We're really elsewhere now.
Don't worry about the cash. I have my network. Cut a deal!
Where will you get all that money?
I have my network.
National police
Well?
The UK's Labour Party will vote for the French initiative.
Does it make up for Slovenia's and Estonia's refusal?
Yes, we expect more good news on the liberal side
with a dozen dissidents supporting us.
The Irish support us, but want to announce it themselves.
-It's done. -Fantastic! Excellent work!
I thank you all.
-Thank you, Mr. President. -The nation thanks you.
Champagne in my office tonight.
Thank you.
Ah, Daniel!
You see, no one in Europe cares about Rickwaert or OHL.
-Have a seat. -That's not my case.
We may have won the EU battle and will rewrite the treaties.
We're making history.
I'm Prime Minister. My Labor Minister told a worker,
who committed suicide, "You must sacrifice yourself."
I hope you won't bring up Rickwaert at every meeting. It's tedious.
I told you I'll talk to him.
-When? -As soon as I can.
Before the Council of Ministers? He can't attend it.
Yes, he can.
Very well.
Until then, I'll be on leave.
I feel ill. I'll be home, in the Perche.
-Daniel, wait! -I'll be back "as soon as" you can.
Jerk.
Journalists are impossible!
We do their jobs for them, and get the evidence to sink Laugier,
and they're still late.
The editor said before 9 o'clock. I'll phone.
Here it is.
"How long has Romain Laugier owned Francis Laugier's piano forte:
"2 years or 2 weeks?
"Why doesn't the recent inventory for Romain Laugier's move
"list the precious collector's item?"
"The Phantom Piano Forte"
Now that's good journalism!
All right. Shall we go?
Let's go.
-Hello. -Thanks.
-Yeah? -Got it.
Thanks, Bruno.
Keep me advised.
As the case presently stands, there is no reason for indictment.
Therefore, the Minister will continue to carry out his responsibilities.
If you want a different version, call someone else or change jobs.
I'll call you later.
I said I'll call you back.
You're back?
You scared me.
Hello.
The President of the Republic.
Ladies and gentlemen, please sit.
Prime Minister Daniel Kalhenberg
The PM has a slight fever.
He feels a bit weak, but it's nothing serious.
He's absent today.
We shall follow the agenda.
I give the floor to the Foreign Affairs Minister.
Thanks, Mr. President.
Bill to ratify the Minamata Convention on mercury.
The Minimata Convention, adopted in January 2013,
aims to protect human health and the environment...
Pres. Auzanet! Mr. President!
Are you asking Philippe Rickwaert to resign?
Per Article 68 in the Constitution,
I have petitioned the National Assembly to remove the President from office.
The charges against Francis Laugier are very serious.
Truth and falsehoods intertwine.
The Judiciary branch lacks the legal grounds to investigate.
The only constitutional means to allow the Judiciary to operate
is this request for removal.
Nothing on the instrument's real value,
nothing on the ex-wife's bank account,
nothing on the piano forte's absence in the moving inventory,
and yet the Labor Minister still hasn't resigned,
despite the dishonor!
An inquest might prevent the worst:
the people's rejection of democracy.
Mercury is unanimously recognized today
as highly toxic for humans and the environment.
This heavy metal is persistent, toxic,
bioaccumulative, and assimilated at great distances.
Carry on without me. Philippe.
The two main sources of mercury in the environment
come from coal-burning plants' emissions.
Le Monde: Jean-Marc Auzanet sues to have Francis Laugier sacked.
What does it change? You straddle a moral line.
So you buckle up and you vote for his removal.
-With the Right? -Think of the moral line.
It's upholding political transgression in the name of morality.
You see, that's a rupture.
I've checked.
If you and Chambolle issue the order, you will win in the Assembly Office.
And Auzanet's petition will pass.
It's all in your hands, Laurent.
OK, let's imagine
both houses vote for removal,
Laugier is ousted, and we hold a presidential election.
-Right. -But who gets elected? Auzanet!
-So? -Again?
I doubt it will go that badly.
But you'll become the uncontested leader of a new Left,
firm in its principles.
You'll have pushed out the competition.
Kalhenberg will have sunk with the Laugier wreck.
We'll have 5 years left to prepare for the presidential.
Laurent...
Five years from now, you'll only be 52.
Chambolle will handle the Assembly Office.
Can you get us a big hall?
5,000 seats minimum! We must think big.
I'll give Laugier a first-class burial.
I won't resign!
Philippe, as of now, you're no longer a minister.
Go tell whomever you want whatever you want,
my decision is firm.
Do you think I wouldn't rat on you?
What about Europe?
You'd tear everything down.
You want everyone to die with you.
Philippe, we'll keep working together
but in the shadows.
-I promise... -I can't trust you.
I'm the President, Philippe. I'm untouchable.
Auzanet will never hold the majority. I won't be tried.
Come back down to Earth.
You need me.
I won't abandon you.
I lost Dunkirk because of you. Make up for it: help my team.
Fine. Bring Veronique down. I'll get her a job here.
No, She must be Mayor of Dunkirk.
Philippe, you realize how complicated things are.
We don't have a majority at the Constitutional Council.
You must accomplish everything I ask.
There are 4 rock-solid ways to invalidate it.
Give them the works. Use those eyes of yours.
They're old and fearful. Easily swayed.
I can't promise but I'll try.
I lodged my complaint before Rickwaert resigned.
I can't wait to be summoned. The sooner the better!
We all know where the money went and where it came from:
from corrupt bosses to Rickwaert.
That's what Joel couldn't stand.
That's why he committed...
What that man did was criminal.
I hope he pays for it big-time!
Mr. Prime Minister?
Any comment on Philippe Rickwaert's resignation?
I trust the judicial system to get to the truth.
I hope that Mr. Rickwaert,
whom I thank for his work in my administration,
will reassure us that he wasn't involved in the tragedy.
We can release him.
Fine, thanks. Goodbye!
-Hello, ma'am. -Hello, sir.
Cyril Balsan's room, please?
-Your name, sir? -Philippe Rickwaert.
-I'm sorry, sir. I can't. -Why can't you?
I can't give you the number. Sir?
Wait here, please!
Sir!
Can you send me someone?
-Where is he? -He needs rest and can't see you.
Cut the bullshit. He got scared. I'm here to reassure him.
Reassure him of what? You just resigned.
I'm still a deputy. We can get to work.
Not with Cyril.
-Not with me, either. -Really? Why?
Isn't it obvious, Philippe?
Cyril got burned. You ruined everything, Philippe.
I'm going to see him.
-No, sir. -Let me by. He's my friend.
-Let me through! -No.
Back off! Hands off!
-Was that Philippe? -No.
The recording...
Get a voice analysis.
The technology can...
... solve it fast.
Those bastards had no right to oust him!
It was that bitch Dorendeu!
-Bitch... -What's happening?
I have a pal at Solférino.
Apparently,
Amelie and Mirmont want a vote on his removal.
-Hold on, Cyril. -They want a vote for removal.
Philippe and Laugier taught her everything.
And now she wants to flush them down the toilet.
Wait, you'll see.
Wait until Philippe takes the Party from her.
Then we'll laugh.
We'll laugh.
-Hello. -Hello.
My client, Mrs. Bosso, received a summons.
Mrs. Bosso is here.
Yes, I'll tell her.
-He'll be right with you. -Thanks.
Mrs. Bosso? Follow me.
Ma'am, understand one thing,
Rickwaert can't get out of this.
Public opinion is with us.
He's seen as the worst of the worst, the king of scum.
No one will mind if we bring him down.
-It may take days or weeks. -I know.
What do you know?
Everything.
-The OHL? -Of course.
-Veronique! -You're not allowed to intervene.
I'd like to continue alone.
You may leave, ma'am.
So?
I helped Philippe clean up OHL before the search.
I assumed it was to help Clamex and the unionists.
Not a single euro into the strike.
And once I saw...
Philippe's duplicity, I wanted to break off.
-When? -I'll tell you.
You'll see the judge. If it interests him,
I want protection because I'm one of Rickwaert's victims.
If that's agreeable, but only if it's agreeable, I'll sign.
-It will interest him. -I want written guarantees.
We'll do our utmost to keep you safe.
When he became Minister,
I combed through all the hot-button files.
I immediately came across
the Cultural Center problem, and I spoke to him about it.
I told him City Hall should file charges against Gerard Balleroy.
He hadn't met a single condition in the tender for bids.
Bring Balleroy in for questioning.
What did Rickwaert tell you?
He blew up and ordered me not to act.
He said if I ever mentioned it again, I'd be out of a job and politics.
-And you obeyed him. -On the contrary.
I sought the support of every City Council member.
We all wanted an end to the Rickwaert system.
How was I to know he would get Right-wing councilors
to overturn the Council and force an election?
It was unimaginable!
Stay in the car.
Guard the files. Once I've negotiated, I'll be back.
-All right? -Be careful.
See you later, my love.
Ah, the right-hand man!
Your brother is fearless!
We don't have much time, Gerard.
What authority and determination!
-How manly! -Good, Bruno!
Write this!
It's your deposition. Copy it out.
Yes, Lea?
-Vero's hearing didn't go well. -Meaning?
She blamed you for everything.
She made me leave the room at the start.
I'm sorry.
Fine.
Goodbye.
What don't you understand?
Joel, I'm asking you, what don't you understand?
Do you think I'm a thief, that I stole?
You think this is about morals? Deal! Sit down!
What do you want to know? Well?
Huh? I don't blame you for anything.
I took you in and fed you.
You know me...
and my family.
I'm not in it for money.
No, I'm sorry.
Real jail is cool. Watch "A Prophet". TweetLikeRickwaert
Kill yourself for your own good. TweetLikeRickwaert
Dad now
I'm so ashamed. Sorry.
Sorry?
-Yes, sweetie? -Hi, Dad. Are you OK?
-Where are you? -In Paris.
Dad, come home.
Salome,
I'm toxic.
I sully everything.
You mustn't worry about me.
Stop that, please!
You'll hear bad things about me. Don't let them affect you.
Look straight ahead. Live your life, Salome.
What do you mean?
Don't worry about me. I'll get out of this.
Dad, hop in a taxi and get on the first train.
Do you see a taxi nearby?
Arrest of Mr. Gerard Balleroy
Explain the years of influence.
Don't bother, it's all there.
I'm checking.
You're less thorough when you work for me.
-Something's missing. -What?
The bit letting your brother off the hook!
Three pages of drivel to save his butt!
Ziegler said you have to write out,
"A one-year jail sentence and a 15,000 euros fine
"may be imposed for false statements."
Then you sign, and we're good.
What is this shit?
By a wide majority,
the Assembly Office rejected the petition for removal
as Pres. Laugier has not failed
to execute his duties
Shit!
What a whore that Mirmont is!
"Wide majority"! Only he could sway the vote.
The Office will provide full details to parliamentarians tonight. Thank you.
It's Laugier.
Yes, Mr. President?
Hello, Amelie. Can you join me at the Élysée?
I'll be right there.
Francis and I have reached an agreement.
I won't run for a second term. I'll claim it's a health matter.
I'll designate Laurent as the obvious candidate.
You can be my Prime Minister, if you wish.
This whole removal story was madness.
It could have sparked civil unrest.
It's better if Francis leaves in a dignified manner,
rather than a mudslide that would bury us all.
Am I to understand everything continues as before?
Amelie, if you don't wish to join this agreement, you may leave.
I must insist, Amelie. I need you.
You think you'd win a presidential in these conditions?
The EU Parliament will vote for the resolution.
Thanks to Francis, the wheels are in motion for France.
We'll retain our sovereignty.
French citizens' trust will be restored.
Do you no longer see this as a historic error?
Things have changed. We'll keep the Euro.
I see.
Well?
What's your name?
Bruno Rickwaert.
Show me some ID, please.
What do you do here?
I'm the logistics manager.
TN to PA Center.
Stay here.
PA Center. Go ahead.
Please advise on handling an individual.
Running the ID check. Stand-by.
I've never had a text like that before!
"Sorry".
What were you planning on doing?
Hanging yourself?
Traveling far away?
I don't know.
No, but...
Don't you think I know what I've done and who I am?
Stop, Dad. Stop, please.
Are you all right?
Yes, I'm all right.
Talk to me now, Dad.
You're making me flip out.
Dad!
I'll stay beside you, no matter what!
-What did you say? -I said I'll stay beside you.
Veronique?
I was questioned by the finance squad.
I know.
You don't.
I told them everything. Everything!
Bravo.
No bravos.
I crushed him.
I turned on him.
Philippe taught me everything.
So, no bravos. No!
Why did you do it, then?
To take back Dunkirk?
If you didn't do it for yourself, then why?
Of course I was thinking of Dunkirk.
When you tried to get a removal vote,
I thought things might truly change thanks to you.
I thought the era of big beasts like Philippe and Laugier was over.
That's why I did it.
You were right to think that.
Really?
I should have realized that Mirmont is just like them.
Their pact is all the more reason to fight.
Time to chop off heads, bring in a new generation.
To take France, we need 100 combatants ready to die for her.
If you're with me, we'll need only 98 more.
All right. I'm with you.
What's going on?
-Speak up! -The Scandinavians...
What about the Scandinavians?
The Social Democrats will change their vote.
-They'll abstain. -And why?
Ethical reasons.
The effort to remove you from office.
There will be no removal.
-Of course, Mr. President. -Well, then?
Nevertheless, they refuse
to be involved in your initiative and cite moral concerns.
We need to call them.
It's pointless. They just voted to ratify this position.
We'll do without the Puritans. What else can I say?
We're 37 votes short.
We only have 20 majority voices.
It's all over, Mr. President.
-Hello, Salome. -My father's not in.
-I need to talk to him. -He's not home.
Thanks.
-You can stop running, Philippe. -From what?
If you tell the police everything, I can petition the Senate for removal.
With your testimony, no parliamentarian can dodge it.
Resignation or removal, Laugier will be ousted.
Yeah,
and I'll be in the slammer.
Otherwise, what? You lie?
Against Veronique? Balleroy?
Joel?
It will last 10 years at the least.
10 more years of lying?
-10 more years clinging to your seat? -Stop!
Tell me about you.
About me?
Yeah. What's your plan?
A looming presidential election means rebuilding.
We'll wind up with the Right in power for 20 years.
Or the FN could scoop the pool.
There won't even be any elections.
I'll ask you again, Amelie. What's your plan?
The Party will play a key role in rebuilding the Left.
Fab!
I prefer 10 years of lying to being in jail.
Sorry, I've nothing better.
-You have to do it. -What do you mean?
The presidential race. You must run.
What are you saying?
Don't make the mistake I made.
My early political career was spent looking for the right horse.
The rest has been spent being disappointed.
Compared to Laugier, Mirmont and Kalhenberg are midgets.
Don't hide your talents, Amelie.
This election drives people crazy. Becoming king is all they want.
No matter how or why.
Forget about it!
That sounded good!
-It has impact. -What do you mean?
First promise: a new Republic.
What's the matter? You scared?
Tell me everything and I'll run.
City of Lille Detention Center
Rickwaert? Visitation Room!
At about 11 AM today,
Senate President Etienne Faloux will officially step in
as France's interim President,
following the resignation of Francis Laugier,
thus providing the time needed to set up a presidential election.
Since Laugier announced his decision "to defend" his honor
and take up his "own defense in serenity",
presidential candidate Amelie Dorendeu has soared in opinion polls.
The public seems to approve of her courage to break with her mentor.
She presented testimony from Philippe Rickwaert
in submitting her petition for removal to the Senate Office,
following the failure of Jean-Marc Auzanet's petition
to the National Assembly.
-How are you? -Perfect.
Sure?
Reading The Brothers Karamazov in 3 days cleared my mind.
All the better.
What the hell do you want?
I talked to your judge.
Oh yeah?
He plans to amend the charges.
Go on, spit it out. I didn't ask to see your face.
If we stick to embezzlement of public funds,
you'll be out in a month, as he well knows.
That would make him feel like he'd worked for nothing.
He's conscientious.
He wants to make a point.
Incitation to suicide gets you 3 years.
Zero guarantee for the VIP sector.
No longer a crooked politician, you're a murderer.
Don't elaborate. I get it.
Auzanet is willing to help me, but I have to pay, eh?
As in any deal.
Go take it deep up the ass!
Sodomy? You always go overboard, Philippe.
Nobody's dropping their pants. It's just backscratching.
Dictate Dorendeu's campaign, and you're clear.
But we're informed first: strategy, speeches, proposals.
I know you. After that, you'll want to write the speeches yourself,
to make her sound second-rate.
You foul everything, Boudard, your whole life long!
Three years behind bars will wreck you!
-How are things? -Excellent.
-You were great on RTL this morning. -Yeah?
-Except the ending. -What about it?
Forget the environmentalism,
socialism, and the rest.
Your forte isn't being a Leftist.
Thousands of Leftists want to be President.
So, what is my forte?
You're gorgeous.
You killed Don Corleone. That's your forte.
People admire you for it.
No one expects you to save jobs or to save the planet.
But you'll never be a bank's or a party's hostage.
People want someone they can identify with.
So they can say, "I want to be like her."
"Free."
You'll be free soon, too.
-Why do you say that? -Because I want to see you.
-Don't you? -Of course I do!
Anything wrong?
Are you all right?
Of course, I'll be fine.
You sure there's nothing else?
Sure...
We'll talk tomorrow.
Sure. Tomorrow...