In a significant experiment for Danish politics, the leaders of all 12 political parties represented in the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) have participated in a unique 24-hour retreat. The program, titled Højskolen (The Folk High School), is a new TV2 production based on the successful Belgian format “The Conclave” (Het Conclaaf). Recorded just one week before the general election was officially called, the show now assumes a critical role in national discourse, offering voters a rare, unvarnished look at the country’s leadership during a pivotal moment for the Danish state.
A historic assembly of leadership
The production managed a significant feat by gathering the heads of every party currently holding seats in the Folketinget. This collective participation is vital for the program’s legitimacy, ensuring that the entire political spectrum—from the ruling coalition to the furthest opposition—is represented under the same conditions.
The 12 party leaders involved in the experiment are:
- Mette Frederiksen (Social Democrats / Socialdemokratiet)
- Troels Lund Poulsen (Liberal Party / Venstre)
- Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Moderates / Moderaterne)
- Pia Olsen Dyhr (Socialist People’s Party / SF)
- Alex Vanopslagh (Liberal Alliance / Liberal Alliance)
- Inger Støjberg (Denmark Democrats / Danmarksdemokraterne)
- Mona Juul (Conservative People’s Party / Det Konservative Folkeparti)
- Pelle Dragsted (Red-Green Alliance / Enhedslisten)
- Martin Lidegaard (Social Liberal Party / Radikale Venstre)
- Morten Messerschmidt (Danish People’s Party / Dansk Folkeparti)
- Franciska Rosenkilde (The Alternative / Alternativet)
- Kim Edberg Andersen (New Right / Nye Borgerlige)
Adapting the Belgian “Conclave” format
The format of Højskolen is a direct adaptation of the Belgian television hit “The Conclave” (Het Conclaaf), created by producer Eric Goens. The original concept was designed to strip away the layers of professional communication management by sequestering leaders until a deeper understanding is reached. In the Danish version, TV2 follows this template by placing political rivals in a setting that encourages long-form discussion rather than the soundbite-driven debates that typically dominate the Nordic media landscape.
Life at Ryslinge: Chores and communal living
The choice of venue, Ryslinge Højskole, is deeply symbolic. A folkehøjskole (a type of non-formal adult education institution in Denmark) is rooted in the 19th-century democratic ideals of N.F.S. Grundtvig. By placing the leaders in this environment, the producers sought to bridge the gap between historical democratic traditions and modern televised media.
During the stay, the 12 politicians were required to surrender their smartphones and disconnect from their political advisors (særlige rådgiver). To break the “spin doctor” cycle, the participants engaged in communal chores, shared meals, and slept in simple, traditional dormitory-style accommodations. These activities, ranging from communal cooking to cleaning, were designed to lower defensive barriers and facilitate personal interactions that rarely occur within the formal halls of the Danish Parliament.
Strategic timing ahead of the general election
The retreat focused on fostering human connections through shared daily life and unscripted late-night discussions. These moments allowed for a level of transparency rarely captured by traditional news outlets. As the show airs during the election campaign, it provides the electorate with a unique opportunity to evaluate the temperament and collaborative potential of those seeking to lead the next Danish government.
Analysts suggest that the timing of the recording—just seven days before the election announcement—makes Højskolen an accidental but vital piece of political documentation. By removing the influence of political consultants, the program offers a glimpse of the leaders’ interpersonal dynamics before they entered the high-pressure environment of the official campaign trail.
