THE PEOPLE STAND UP
I have to make the difference on social issues.
We'll re-examine the effectiveness
of every regional financial aid for companies, one by...
Philippe, are you listening? In 30 minutes, I'm off to...
Don't stress. For the TV debate, you must shore up your first minute.
Another channel will be showing the match.
-Any leads? -Yes. Léon Dubois.
-Who is Léon Desbois? -No, Léon Dubois.
A 29-year-old temp with a beat-up back from assembly-line work.
He was fired with no damages. There are hundreds like him.
Being personal is good, but be aware of miserabilism.
Miserabilism? Are you kidding?
France has a million work accidents every year.
764,000 unable to work through injury. 500 deaths, Philippe, 500!
40% more than the European average.
Fine. Keep Léon Dubois.
But after that, your minute is Vidal, Vidal, Vidal!
It isn't very unifying.
We agree that the aim is second place,
so that I am the only refuge against the far right.
Remember that the polls put me in third at 20%.
The NR at 32 and Cyril at 22.
Precisely. In the first round, you create your base.
Your base voted for Vidal to be president. 23%.
You need that three-point difference.
So: ”Vidal, Vidal, Vidal.”
Teaching is the art of repetition.
Switch off your phone. You need a nap.
You look shattered despite that ninth coffee.
I don't have time, Philippe.
Everyone has time for 15 minutes. Lie down.
-Okay. -Only 13 minutes left.
-Come on, Toph! -Hurry up!
Come on!
I'd be ashamed if I were you. Sneaking off like a rat.
I'm a rat?
I'm not a rat, Pascal. I'm a frog.
What's the frog's problem?
It is too small, like me.
It wants to cross the river, but there are big rocks and tall grass.
As it is small, it can't see the way.
What does the frog do?
It jumps on the first stone. The horizon clears somewhat.
It can see the next rock. And so on and so forth.
It is the same for me. Since being on Vidal's rock,
I have a better view of the other side: the Elysée.
Take on Vidal on his turf?
He'll eat you alive. You have nothing. You have no strength or support.
That's what Goliath thought when he saw David.
I have a direction: the republican comeback.
I have the file to go with it.
I'll execute my plan with The People Stand Up instead.
I will bury Vidal.
Bury Vidal? No less! He forbids branches.
That's why I need to jump onto the next rock. The region.
If Véro wins, that's even better.
A regional council has dozens of staff.
The ideal political platform
to confront Vidal and clear the path to the presidency.
To do that, Pascal, we must stick together.
Are you asking me to withdraw and hand Véro the win?
On the contrary, I want to get you elected.
Mr. Markarian.
Thank you for coming, Mr. Markarian.
-Madam President. -Did you have a good journey?
-Yes, thank you. New York is not far. -Are you enjoying Columbia?
Immensely. The teaching and research conditions are exceptional.
Are you a patriot, Mr. Markarian?
It all depends on the meaning of ”patriot.”
Relentlessly working and being totally available
without expecting any satisfaction other than helping your country.
Oh, in that way.
Europe is stuck. It is crystallizing discontentment.
Populism is building against it.
To rebuild it and make it legitimate again,
I want to translate your book, Françallemagne, into acts.
My editor will be thrilled. The cover could read:
”The book that inspired the President.”
This past month, I've been working with Chancellor Fischtel
on a European Plan B centered around Françallemagne.
-On what basis? -Back to basics.
A solid common project like Schumann and Monnet did with coal and steel.
I want to give Françallemagne a strong identity.
A true common project would rest on the military industry.
It generates the most future technology. Look at China, of course... Ecology.
With Germany, we create a nation of ecological revolution.
Define new production methods where the green rule always prevails,
in every domain. That is Françallemagne's identity:
Showing the world how to confront
the worst challenge humanity has ever seen.
You have settled on your plan. Why do you need me?
Finance. Find me 1000 billion.
A thousand billion?
What did Fischtel say?
I wasn't totally transparent about that.
You know Germany's aversion to debt. I'd have scared him off.
Now he's hooked, it's different.
I'll remind him of the evidence: we are already in the climate tragedy.
We don't have a choice.
I'll ask you again, Mr. Markarian: Are you a patriot?
Good. Get to work.
I have to present a plan to Fischtel in 14 days.
-How are you, Véro? -Good, and you?
-I'm happy to see you. -Ditto.
Mr. Verdier.
Hello.
-Good to see you. -Yes.
Fifteen days is an impossible deadline.
That is how long Schuman and Monnet took for the ECSC.
But they didn't need billions to save the planet from an eco-disaster.
No, they just had to end the war between France and Germany.
Has anyone ever told you how stubborn you are?
-You'd be the first. -You're lying.
Not at all.
I mainly work on endogenous growth, not ecological economics.
So I'll need to talk to specialists. I'll need stats and notes.
You can have access to any expert in State services.
So it is like a secret mission?
Officially, let's say you're working on a report about...
the long-term perspectives of the economic development
of France in globalization
at a time of heightened protectionist tension
in the context of energy transition.
Your mission is called France 2040.
-Is that a lie too? -Not this time.
It is fairly basic, but you won't be disturbed.
It has a nice view of Paris.
So I see.
By voting for my list, supported by Michel Vidal,
you are choosing a new ecological, social and humanist path for the region,
which was severely, too severely hit by Brussels's ordoliberalism.
By showing that such a change is possible here,
in Hauts de France,
you're sending a message of hope to all of France,
as you are strengthening the dynamic triggered
by The People Stand Up and Michel Vidal.
Thanks, Véronique Bosso.
I'll hand over to Pascal Carthaud, the Socialist Party candidate,
for his introductory minute.
What I have to say is simple:
I'm the only one running for the region, and only for the region. The only one.
Cyril Balsan, for example, is here as a tourist.
Initially invested in Haute-Saône, he was elected in Val de Marne.
As for Jérôme Verdier,
I read in the media that if he scores well,
he might stand for the right in the presidential primaries.
No less. Finally, Ms. Véronique Bosso
named Michel Vidal six times in one minute.
I didn't realize regional elections were a chance
for presidential promotion, Véronique.
Forgive me for being blunt,
but between friends, who is the candidate?
Him or you?
When it comes to validating the construction of Maubeuge's tram system,
will you ask the boss's permission too?
Is that what this region's people deserve?
That their region is used as a platform for Parisian ambitions?
I want to talk about them, about their lives.
Let me tell the story of Mr. Léon Desbois.
Mr. Léon Desbois worked at the Corop factory in Valenciennes,
where every day, he carried out the same tasks with precision.
Month after month, year after year...
You better have something really good,
as not only did you prepare Pascal, you did it against me!
Okay. The start wasn't brilliant, but you brought it back.
You can't get out of this with jokes. You betrayed me.
Pascal had 3% in the polls. What use is he at 3%?
Now, Twitter is saying he's a revelation.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gets more than 5%.
With more than 5%, we can merge our lists.
Bingo!
Carthaud is a true leftist, whatever his score, he'll support you.
At 3%, nobody cares, but at 5%, you unite and come together.
That means your list goes up to second place
and in the second round... ”Vote for Véro Bosso!
The only one who can beat the right!” Is that betrayal?
I don't think you understand: I am the candidate,
you're my colleague, not the other way around.
So when you have a strategy, you should talk to me first. Damn it.
Véro.
I tricked you, but I never lied.
I told you to make your base by talking about Vidal.
You consolidated your base. You were great.
I just shared some of your talent with Pascal.
It had to be done.
My only aim is to make you win.
You annoy me.
You don't even regret it.
It's non-stop!
Voted.
378.
-Frédérique, Gabrielle Delabre. -Voted.
319.
Ms. Bosso...
Could participation...
It is a lovely day. That's a good start, right?
-Thank you. -Thanks. Good afternoon.
...sanctuarising investments in the new ecological production methods
by excluding them from the deficit calculation.
With that, we can easily gamble on
increased ranges in organic farming as in energy transition.
Accumulating these two budgets which are, in any case,
granted on both sides of the Rhine, could free up 350 billion.
350 billion... Are you there?
Have you taken the time to vote?
No, since I moved to the States, my card expired.
It seems you are not the only one.
Record abstention record at midday.
350 billion is 650 less than the 1,000 required.
The sustainability of such debt...
All our development methods have been to the detriment
of the planet, biodiversity, the land and our health.
That is an unsustainable debt.
Don't rule out any solution or scenario.
Yes, Martin.
And Ipsos?
I saw their faces. There were many fascists.
-Stop it. -Remember, I lost Dunkirk city hall.
Michel was crazy enough to bank on me for the region.
I'll tell you something. If you want to lose,
stick my face on the poster.
Keep complaining! Not long ago, I couldn't even run.
I dreamed about a good turnout.
When will we get the estimations?
The bins? Forget it, it isn't reliable.
We did it for your votes.
Only to pass the time.
If you want to stop worrying, you know what you need.
-What? -Screwing, Véro!
It's the only thing that works. Plus, it's lucky.
I never lost a vote after screwing on election day.
Where is Daniel? He could make himself useful.
He is in Solfé, Ivry.
-Well, I'm willing to sacrifice myself. -Philippe!
-Only for a good cause! -You swine!
THE PEOPLE STAND UP
The first stats are in, but it's early. Nothing is set in stone.
Okay, thanks.
It isn't bad, but it isn't good either.
A United France will win 7 out of 12 regions,
with low chances for more votes. Nationally, we are between 19 and 20.
-But no wins. -No.
Very well.
We'll insist on our progress.
It's not over. We need to rally around to make the government lists fail
and find our voters who have abstained in large numbers.
What about the North?
The NR will be on top.
Then, it's tight for Véro, Balsan and the right.
We'll have to wait.
Here.
That's Calais. Give me Dunkirk! I need Dunkirk to know.
Grande-Synthe.
-Well? -These are the first 300?
Yes, the first three.
You'll pass the right and Cyril too.
That'll put the fascists at 34, you at 23,
Cyril at 20 and the Republicans at 17.
Give me Lille.
Here.
Carthaud will get more than 5.
Flowers for Léon Desbois?
Tuesday, 6 p.m. is the date to remember.
The deadline for the lists for the second round.
Until then, 46 decisive hours. Anything could happen.
As it stands, no single party could win alone,
whether here, in Hauts de France, or elsewhere.
No doubt that phones are ringing off the hook at party HQs:
list withdrawals, fusions, political agreements.
It's the time for schemes and strategies.
Who cares about Carthaud? Does that idiot Cyril know how to add?
He must merge with the right.
A republican front against Stalin and Hitler.
He said with Carthaud's 5.7,
he'd pass Véro and be the tactical vote against National Rally.
If we go with the socialists,
voters on the right will go fishing and NR will win!
Let's sort it out. We need to talk to Cyril, he's being...
-It's Kalhenberg. -No, that's fine.
And Carthaud merges with Cyril in Hauts de France, agreed?
Okay.
Did I hear correctly?
The SP did better than predicted in Occitanie.
If we don't withdraw in Nouvelle Aquitaine,
they'll stay for a second round and the right moves on.
Why bring Hauts de France into this?
If Cyril merges with Carthaud, he moves to second, ahead of Véronique,
and gets the vote against the far right.
A United France plus Socialists: 26.
A United France and Republicans: 37.
In politics, 1 plus 1 rarely equals 2. We'd unravel on the left.
Anyway, the candidate is Cyril and he refuses to merge with the right.
She accepted everything.
A withdrawal exchange in Aquitaine and Occitanie
and a merge with their lists everywhere we can't hold.
We save at least 45 councilors.
As we keep Aquitaine, it is a really good deal.
Yes, it has its advantages.
It brings in money from elected officials.
But politically, Amélie is making us a satellite.
Politically? Do you think I have a choice? Enough shit, Pascal!
We were wiped out by a tsunami, remember?
My job is damage control: save the injured and it isn't easy.
Hang up, damn it!
I have to go, Daniel.
People are waiting. Okay, we'll catch up later.
Did you forget who helped you pass 5%?
The party is saving what's left.
By being Amélie's whore!
Daniel has a rent to pay, that is his political line.
Since you're not in real estate, merge with Véro.
-But it's important... -There is only one important thing.
The second rock.
Véro wins. This is the Champions League, not Intertoto.
We need to explain to our comrades.
Are you a leftist? So ally with the left to block the far right.
-What's to explain? -What if Cyril is pushed to the right?
”What if...” Cyril will never ally with the right. Trust me.
Go on.
How are things with Cyril?
This is Cyril Balsan's voicemail. Please leave a message.
43, a record first round.
50 isn't guaranteed in the second. The Republicans won't withdraw.
That jerk Bertagna will look down on us like lepers.
Although we are 15 points ahead. Get the big guns out.
Fake ads, fake rumors, as much as possible.
-Bertagna? -Take him down a peg.
His guys won't vote for us, but we'll crush him.
What will the rumors say?
-He could be an alcoholic. -He has the face for it.
A drunkard who props up the bar.
I'd like to point out that
some of our voters also have alcohol problems.
He could be a fairy.
What if we knew how to love without expecting anything in return?
Knowing how to love
Without expecting anything in return
Neither esteem nor a great love story
Not even the hope of being loved
Florent Pagny, ”Knowing how to love.”
What does that mean politically?
Knowing how to give
Giving without taking back
Just waiting
Tough, right?
Listen to the next part.
And picking yourself up
As if reborn from your ashes
With so much overflowing love
That you can forget the past
Beautiful.
I'll call Bertagna. I'll take the temperature.
Mr. Carthaud! Pascal Carthaud, good evening.
-Evening. -Are you discussing
a deal with Véronique Bosso?
First, I'm here to congratulate her.
You know, nothing on the left is alien to me.
Ms. Bosso was the top left-wing candidate
and we should be uniting around her to bring down the far right.
Will you merge? And if so, under what conditions?
No conditions. Ms. Bosso won't change her program.
The voters have spoken.
She offered to integrate socialist candidates into her list.
-A clear approach and I support it. -Thanks, Mr Carthaud.
-Well done, Pascal. -Congratulations, Véronique.
I am so happy to welcome you on this great adventure. Welcome!
-I can't wait to begin. -And with you, we'll succeed.
The NR has mustered support, but we're planning to network in key areas.
Nothing will be left to chance. Come meet the team...
WE NEED TO TALK
They are young and dynamic.
-Are you okay? -When he came to Véro's rally,
he was like a man in rags asking for asylum.
-Who? -Rickwaert.
I knew his contrite air was just a facade.
He is infiltrating my party.
Once inside, infiltrators never leave.
Why would Rickwaert escape?
Earlier, Carthaud joined with Véro, with no conditions.
Total unanimity.
Good. The socialists are starting to understand.
Drink this. Then, up to bed. You need sleep.
And if Balsan does the same?
A union with no conditions, how could I find fault with that?
Without sounding like the party bigot.
I don't believe it. But admit it, if Balsan returns, you win the region.
Not me, Rickwaert.
Véronique Bosso.
What if he put her there from the start?
Véro, a mole?
When Dorendeu exploded the Socialist Party,
Rickwaert was KO. He seemed down and out.
He was already onto the next move, playing his pawns.
Balsan with Dorendeu, Carthaud at the PS,
Véronique at The People Stand Up.
Setting the scene.
The Hauts de France is his promised land.
-That would be... -Unbelievable, yes.
He already made Laugier win, then Dorendeu.
His tactical prowess is...
-He's turned it into an art. -You aren't so bad yourself.
Only because I have to. It is purely defensive.
He enjoys it and gets pleasure out of it.
A region brings resources.
A State within the State.
He could set HQ on fire, that means me.
I can hear them now: ”What about his age?”
They might even be capable of making me do the primaries.
You could be mistaken.
You can get carried away sometimes.
Paranoia does not exclude lucidity.
They will never dock at the promised land.
If they bring back Balsan, I'll sink their exodus in open water.
DON'T BE AN IDIOT CYRIL, WE NEED TO TALK...
LEAVE ME ALONE
Did you two have a deal from the start?
Do you know how many councilors you have lost us?
I'm with The People Stand Up, not the Socialists.
I do what is best for me.
-Do you enjoy burying ex-comrades? -Daniel, stop it. You know I don't.
-It was Philippe's advice. -Here we go again.
He didn't join Vidal, but you.
He didn't join me or Vidal, he joined The People Stand Up,
the country's only left-wing opposition.
By merging with us, Carthaud is doing the same.
It is common sense.
I didn't betray anyone.
I left for my beliefs and you know that better than anyone.
I'm not asking you to follow me, but just accept that...
...we're on rival teams.
But we're both still trying to do something good.
Isn't that important?
You can still stop the merge with Carthaud.
Amélie will know it was your decision and I can save my deal.
You can keep your hard line.
What you lose, you'll win elsewhere. It's fine.
Can you do that for me?
No way in hell.
No.
Enough.
-It makes no sense, Véro. -Wait.
-Is this about politics or us? -Both.
You, Vidal, Philippe, whatever this is, I'm the one getting pissed on!
Cyril, we're 30 hours from the list deadline.
To avoid the Republicans, we needed Carthaud.
Is it my fault Philippe was smarter?
They'd agreed beforehand.
Quicker or smarter, it doesn't matter. In politics, they're synonyms.
What now?
You withdraw and let Véronique Bosso win? Or rather Vidal.
Verdier isn't the right, he is THE right.
His ancestor was at the Comité des Forges.
I'm not asking you to withdraw. Put him on your list.
He's made the biggest effort.
No. Uniting with the right goes against everything I believe.
Is blocking the far right against your beliefs?
-I'll think about it. -No, you'll act.
Unite with Verdier and win.
It's simple: you alone can block the populists.
Alone, but with Verdier.
Once you're elected, they are your policies, not his!
We must avoid this catastrophe. This isn't about looks and taste.
Philippe must be hounding you.
-I'm not answering. -Answer him in the field.
A united front, starting this afternoon.
Canvassing in 20 towns.
One message: the tactical vote is Balsan!
You're going to Dunkirk.
To their back yard. It'll knock him sideways.
Mr. Bertagna, thank you for coming all this way.
I accepted out of politeness.
I don't like the cries of terror my party makes when your name is heard.
It avoids arguments.
When the right gets forgotten, it is always bad news.
We agree on something.
Well? How are negotiations going with A United France?
The ”new world” atmosphere of arrogant technocracy.
Why do that to yourself?
You're right. I could stand alone,
against you, without joining them, but I'm not suicidal.
Let's merge our own lists.
Fundamentally, we have similar aims.
I said that I'm not suicidal and you're asking me to sacrifice myself.
I'd be thrown out of the party.
Your party is trapped in a vice between Dorendeu and myself.
I have the values; she took the economy.
This time, you're in fourth place.
At this rate, you'll end up like the vulgar socialists.
But you can still save the right.
And endorse your closed policies? No, thank you.
If you were elected,
you would implement your policies, not mine.
You would accept to withdraw from the top of the list?
If we merge, yes.
-I need time to think. -What is there to think about?
Do you see what's happening?
This isn't small potatoes.
You can be head of the list, even though I'm ahead by 15 points.
Education, culture, job security, okay? I'm counting on you.
Hello. Will you be voting? Vote on Sunday, we're counting on you.
-Hello, sir. -Not Dorendeu.
This region needs change, sir. Do something.
-We can't stay, Verdier's waiting. -Okay. Hello, sir.
-Good luck. -Thank you. See you Sunday.
-Hello, sir. -It won't change.
-It can change, sir. -Well done, Mr. Balsan! Don't stop now!
Thanks, we'll do our best.
At the start, I thought Dorendeu was the arrogant left. All that I hated.
But frankly, those reforms were brave. Hats off.
We had to stop the strikes and state handouts.
We're entering the second phase of our term,
including the redistribution.
Yeah, sure. Of course.
What does that mean?
Redistribution, we get it:
smoke and mirrors. I have always voted right.
This time, the right-wing candidate is you! Well done!
The silent majority supports the reforms.
Shut up, okay? Shut your mouth, and keep it shut.
Thank you. Ma'am.
Philippe wants to see you.
You know what I'm going to ask.
If you don't withdraw, Véro can't win.
Nothing else to say?
Unbelievable. No contact for a year. I came to say I messed up,
you send me packing and it's as if nothing happened.
I fucked up. I admit it. What more do you want?
I was angry.
I'm sorry. You know what anger is?
It's the last barrier of grief.
I'm not withdrawing my list.
Have you seen Verdier?
Not yet.
I know you, you can't align with the right. It's impossible.
No, but you set a precedent with Carthaud.
I'll merge with Véro with no conditions.
For Vidal, I'm a prize catch.
An ex-minister who gave in to Dorendeu's mermaid call.
-He'll like that, won't he? -Vidal isn't a problem.
He'd sell his mother to win the region.
So we agree, Thorigny is the problem.
If I announce it now,
he will have 24 hours to harass my list to make them join the right.
As he is Prime Minister, they'll follow.
If there is no announcement
and we file our list at 5:59 p.m., he's screwed.
Impressive.
You sound like me. Not bad at all.
This is all logistics.
Do you see where I'm going?
Yeah.
And I believe it.
You'll be against Amélie.
As long as Chalon stays in his fascist ghetto, he has no chance.
That leaves Vidal.
Impossible with the SP, it's discredited and inaudible.
You had to go to him.
Reactivating a republican line is a good angle for you.
It's a good angle.
He may have started oustism, but he isn't immune.
With a region, it's possible.
To get there, I need certainty.
Vidal, Amélie and Chalon have cruise ships.
I have an outboard motor.
It is easier to maneuver, but if my co-pilot starts playing games,
I'll capsize in a flash.
You can count on me.
I'm glad, Cyril.
Fischtel is set on showing me his house on Lake Constance.
I verified the water quality: pollution has increased.
You never know, it could come in useful.
To be clear, it is very simple.
-It looks great. -I hope so.
Shit. Damn it. I'm sorry.
Don't worry, you haven't ruined my appetite.
I'm so clumsy. Sorry.
Don't worry. I'll get it reprinted tomorrow.
-If you knew how awful I feel. Sorry. -Are you always this clumsy?
I think I'm World Champion in every category.
Really, I...
When I was finishing my thesis,
I went to a restaurant before presenting my work to my director.
I sat at the bar, a bit like this one. You could eat side by side.
I ordered a toasted sandwich... Did I get some on you?
They brought out my sandwich and I started eating.
My knife slipped, and my sandwich went flying.
It slid along the bar and landed in the pocket of a man
who was happily eating.
-No way. -Yes, way.
I could've tried 1000 times and I wouldn't have succeeded.
And that man was in fact my thesis director.
-That can't be true! -It is.
Major dilemma. Do I get up and say: ”I think my sandwich is in your pocket”?
Or stay quiet as if nothing happened?
-And? -And I chose cowardice, of course.
So I crept away and we had our meeting an hour later.
He still had that sandwich in his pocket. The right one, I remember.
I was praying that he wouldn't put his hand in that pocket.
Since that sandwich disaster,
why did you risk carrying that over to the table?
That's a good question and the story of my life. Deny or defy.
I'll be wary of you now.
Nobody can know about it before we get an agreement.
You should go to Véro with your offer. Call her tomorrow at 1 p.m.
She'll be with Vidal finalizing the Carthaud merge.
-It's the ideal moment. Olive oil? -Yeah.
I thought I'd call Vidal directly.
No, respect procedure. Chats between lists are normal.
She doesn't know anything?
You know her. She didn't join Vidal to be a frog.
-She believes. Chicken? -Yeah.
In the end, she'll be with us. Véro is family.
That jerk Kalhenberg dumped her yesterday. Between rounds!
-No way. -Yes, she's in bad shape.
-Hi, sweetheart. -Hello.
You okay?
-It has been awhile! -Yes.
-You all right? -And you?
-Will you eat with us? -Yes.
I don't understand you.
We left talking about Françallemagne and now you've come back with a program
that even the Greens wouldn't dare to put forward.
I'm the one who doesn't understand you.
Françallemagne is only the container.
We need inspiration, hope.
It's the only antidote to populism.
Our societies are ready.
I didn't know you had this side to you.
Until the pipe to my sink blew up in my face,
I didn't have a DIY side, either.
Necessity forces us to adapt.
Right, let's take on climate. It is the most urgent thing.
We could free up funds as part of an enhanced cooperation.
Pool our national budgets for the environment.
It's a first step and it has a direction.
We need trillions.
By earmarking part of the ECB's quantitative easing, we could do it.
Amélie, there never will be trillions in additional debt, never.
We did it to save the banks, and we had no choice.
Our currency's strength and stability
is the symbol of Germany's national independence.
Its mark of sovereignty.
It's the equivalent of your atomic bomb.
Would you give up the nuclear deterrent for any reason, eve the most necessary?
I don't advise it.
Your electorate would swiftly show you its gratitude.
I'm sorry, Amélie.
-Amélie, did you hear about PACA? -What about it?
It is catastrophic.
Here's the deal:
The NF and the Republicans are merging for the second round.
Chalon has rocked the boat by letting Bertagna top the list!
So, the Prime Minister fears
that the same pattern will occur in the north.
Given Balsan's unwillingness to negotiate with the right,
the Prime Minister strongly advises you to call Balsan.
-Are you okay? -Yes, fine.
-We're nearly at Michel's. -Okay.
-Oh, shit. -What is it?
-Oh, no. -What?
I forgot to give Didier the power
to file the list at the prefecture before 6 p.m. for me.
I can't believe it.
Sandra? Can you hear me? I left a signed paper for Didier.
He knows about it. It's on my desk.
Can you give it to him now? It's important. Thanks.
What was all that about?
You should file your list. It's your list.
No, Michel called me earlier about it. It's nothing.
Why? We'll be back way before 6 p.m.
There's nothing to worry about.
He told me about the 2002 legislative election
and how the highway was blocked after an accident.
Total gridlock. He nearly didn't make it.
He got in with a minute to spare. Can you imagine?
Didier Rufard, fourth on your list?
-Yes. -And if he messes up?
-How? -I dunno, anything could happen.
He could ruin it all.
He could file a different list or invalidate it somehow.
It could be anything. He might be a mole.
He's been campaigning with Michel for 30 years.
They were both in the ICP, remember? It's fine.
How did Michel sound on the phone?
Normal, friendly. Everything is fine.
Wait a second.
-Did you say 2002? -What?
The legislative elections, the traffic. In 2002, Michel was a senator.
I must have mixed it up. Who cares?
Are you coming?
Yes, Madam President, I know.
You know, but nothing is done. You agreed, Cyril.
Thorigny is exaggerating as usual. I had an emergency.
I'm talking to you now. I want this sorted within the hour.
Call Verdier immediately. Okay?
DON'T CALL VÉRO. VIDAL KNOWS. TOO DANGEROUS.
-Cyril? -Yeah, okay.
Don't worry, I'll sort it. I'll call him now.
Goodbye, Madam President.
Camille Borge, Pierrot Tamoutchi, Dorothée Boissier,
Arthaud Ronald. Who is that?
I'LL CALL YOU WHEN I CAN
Didn't Galibert desert to Dorendeu?
Tell me, Pascal, I hope you're not bringing us
clear right-wing supporters on your raft of the Medusa?
It's a no for Lorenzo.
He called me a killer at the Valence congress.
ARE YOU CRAZY? IMPOSSIBLE!!! I'M UNDER SERIOUS PRESSURE!
-Where's the bathroom? -Ground floor, on the left.
Liliane Benoît, is that...
-This is... -Shit.
-This is... -Damn.
Hi, Cyril.
Good, and you?
Shit!
Wasn't Théo ill?
Okay. Yes.
Cyril, I'm really happy to hear that.
Bernard Chevraiment, Philippe Boursier...
That was Cyril Balsan.
Well, well! What did he want?
A merge with no conditions.
He's offering 15 names,
just associates, no United France members.
And...
...he would leave his own party.
Pascal, could you give us time
to discuss this among The People Stand Up?
Have a look at the library.
-I'm not sure... -Sorry, Philippe,
Véronique is head of this list. What do you think?
I'm all for it, a priori.
-A priori? -Yes, merging guarantees the win.
Cyril wants to block the far right.
If we refuse, it'll push him to the right...
Wait, it could also push the right into the NF, as in the south.
But we'd wait until the wire.
Cyril will be a double agent until 6 p.m.
Cyril is taking a big risk.
If we refuse, he could side with the right.
-Philippe? It holds up, right? -It'd be a big mistake.
I'm sorry, Véro. You want to win. It's normal.
I'd be so happy.
But not if it torpedoes Michel's presidency.
By winning the region?
By making a special agreement with a Thorigny minister.
Balsan is right-wing. The People Stand Up replaces the SP.
Left-wing in words, but willing to do anything to win councillors
and people know how that ends: betrayal, Michel.
Philippe, what if Véro isn't totally wrong?
Michel, respectfully, you've already missed out twice.
I didn't join for you to become a serial loser.
You managed that on your own.
But becoming the rallying banner against the far right could win it for me.
Balsan wants to block the far right? Then he withdraws, and we win easily.
No need to merge with yo-yos looking to save their seats.
He'll be a liability.
It'll blur your image and kill your strategy.
You'll never get the proles who abstained, nor those who turned NF.
You'd lose it all. Call Balsan and tell him to withdraw, period.
I don't know why we're discussing it.
It's good. I like it. Philippe, call him.
We could do this later, if you prefer.
-Did you follow Chalon? -Chalon?
In PACA.
Republicans in the south have accepted to merge with National Rally.
A right-wing union. Clearly, Chalon won't stop there.
Now that the taboo is broken, his takeover bid will succeed.
He'd love to get his revenge on me.
If I were a bookmaker, I'd bet on him winning.
So I remembered your military theory for Françallemagne.
A good example of Realpolitik, I imagine,
since Fischtel refuses additional debt,
it's better to keep Françallemagne alive.
No. About the debt, Fischtel said:
”It's like surrendering your nuclear deterrent.”
I had an idea and sent him a message. We haven't stopped since.
I offered to share our permanent seat at the UN.
-At the Security Council? -Yes.
Clearly a significant compromise.
We'll make him pay for it tenfold. We'll crush him.
Withdraw my list. Do you realize what you are saying?
Where do I end up? Nowhere.
A traitor for The People Stand Up, a traitor for A United France.
But you won't betray what counts: your principles.
I know it's hard, but if you withdraw, we keep the essentials.
Véro wins the region, our only weapon of mass destruction.
Wait. Why don't we ask her to do it anyway?
-What? Who? -Véro!
It is 5 p.m., she has time to file our list.
Behind Vidal's back?
We win by force. If we explain, she'll understand.
In an hour? It's too early.
She needs time to come back to earth.
She's family, isn't she?
Vidal made her pick a proxy to file her list.
That's why I had to let you go.
Vidal knew.
He tried to trip us up. I had no choice.
We'll turn Véro too, eventually.
It'll be thanks to you, thanks to your actions today,
thanks to your class, buddy.
Withdrawing isn't a sacrifice,
it's the first step on the road to President.
This is a tactical withdrawal.
To guarantee Véro's victory,
but as you'll break from A United France,
it's an intelligent merger.
In a year, you'll be with us. Meanwhile, we'll have turned Véro.
You needed a way out.
-Cyril Balsan is going to speak. -Balsan is going to speak.
Cyril's about to speak.
Hello, everyone.
Listen up.
It is 6 p.m. and, to be clear,
to block the far right,
I did not file the United France list that I was heading.
He's the best of us.
We can't hear.
Mr. Balsan, have you informed the President?
I'd like to say a few more personal words.
After this address, I have decided
to leave politics for good.
Balsan out, Balsan out...
You will carry on.
You will carry on because campaigning is the best life.
It is the right path when you have the courage to...
BRAVO, PHILIPPE. A JOB WELL DONE.
Quiet down!
Don't repeat the mistakes I made.
Be committed, yes.
Always for ideas, never for individuals.
-No cowards or pussies. -Get lost. We've seen enough.
Shut your mouths, all of you!
There is no supreme saviour.
No God, no Caesar, no tribune.
Those words,
never forget them.
You...
...the idealists...
...the activists, the campaigners.
You, the workers,
putting up posters and sending e-mails.
You, handing out flyers and knocking on doors.
Always remember
the first day you pushed open that office door
asking:
”Can I help?”
Remember who you were.
And never change.
Never change.
Mr. Balsan!
Subtitle translation by Elaine Scott