The Minister

Benedikt Ríkarðsson, the newly elected chairman of the Independence party, announces that he has formed a coalition with the Social Democratic Alliance for the upcoming elections. He is humble in the face of his critics and vows to resign if the voter turnout is below 90%. The nation has now been presented with an unorthodox and a tender politician who doesn’t partake in traditional politics. Within his party, however, there is no unison about his impulsive declarations. Grímur, the vice-chairman, Eggert, the former chairman, Steinunn, Benedikt’s wife, and Þorgeir, her father, are all shocked. The divide is apparent, Steinunn and Grímur support Benedikt, whilst Eggert, Þorgeir and others attempt to secure the party’s power - preferably with old allies. Hrefna Halldórsdóttir, Grímur’s wife, leads the party’s call center. The nation’s adoration of Benedikt is obvious to her. The election night’s results, however, are overshadowed by her discovery of Grímur’s unfaithfulness.

The president summons Benedikt to present him with the power to form a government. The voter turnout, however, was 89,4%. Benedikt refuses the offer. He made a promise to the nation. Behind the political curtains, the race for power is now afoot. Hrefna leaves Grímur and moves in with her mother. Amused with the lack of content in old coalition treaties, Benedikt recruits Hrefna to direct a Twitter festival, where anyone can tweet an idea and the ideas with the most retweets will be handed to those in power. But Twitter is bigger than Iceland. Soon millions of people have tweeted. Steinunn slyly uses Twitter momentum to have the nation convince Benedikt to take office. Benedikt abides. Steinunn’s father has information relating to Benedikt’s mental health. The information will be leaked to the media if she doesn’t convince Benedikt to appoint Eggert a minister instead of Grímur.

Grímur is reluctantly appointed the president of the parliament. Hrefna is appointed as PA to Benedikt. Steinunn returns to the newspaper she owns. After a brawl about a countryside church which is to be renovated as a hotel suite, Ríkarður, Benedikt’s father, travels to Reykjavík. Benedikt is unexpectedly brought into the issue, leading him to bigger ideas; church and state must be separated so that the spiritual power is not dependent on secular. The issue alarms the church, the party and government. Grímur puts a stop to Benedikt in the parliament. Benedikt’s focus is on the ‘king’s piano’. A historical instrument that for centuries nowhere found its’ home. On behalf of the government he purchases it - but no institution seems to want it. To Benedikt’s delight, it ends up in his office. A much bigger delight is brought upon Steinunn. She and Benedikt must prepare for a new role; parenting.

Eggert presents to the cabinet the intended hotel construction in Svarfaðardalur. Benedikt announces that he will travel to sign the papers - as it’s his childhood home. Hrefna is smitten with Óttar, a journalist at Steinunn’s newspaper. On his way north to Svarfaðardalur, Benedikt meets Salóme, his ex-girlfriend. She invites him home and reveals that she never expected him to permit the hotel construction in the bird sanctuary, which their mothers fought for. Filled with nostalgia, Benedikt refuses to sign the construction permit at the signing ceremony. Later, Grímur informs him that the director to-be of the hotel is Eggert’s cousin. Benedikt is outraged and expels him from the cabinet. After the ceremony, Ríkarður attempts to discuss Benedikt’s mental state with him. Benedikt storms off and disappears. Steinunn travels north to look for Benedikt. Ríkarður tells her the story of Benedikt’s mother - and the mental disease that caused her death.

A Ukrainian woman, a doctor by education, is to be deported with her son. Benedikt is granted the temporary power of president whilst the president travels abroad. Steinunn prepares her birthday party at the cabinet’s venue of entertainment. As Benedikt learns about the deportation, he finds them and declares that they are granted a residency permit. The system resists so he, as the temporary president, publishes a provisional law granting them citizenship. It is soon discovered that it must also be signed by the president of the supreme court - or the parliament. As a desperate measure, Hrefna asks Grímur to sign. Having consulted with Steinunn’s father, he signs. In return, he wants their support when Benedikt inevitably must resign. Benedikt’s mind is now so elevated and manic that the birthday party is an embarrassment for Steinunn. Grímur tells Óttar to look into Benedikt’s mental health.

The minister of finance introduces her findings that the Euro would be the preferred currency for Iceland. Benedikt, however, is busy writing a musical based on the ancient Icelandic musical script ‘Melódía’. With his focus absolute on the musical muse, he mumbles to reporters that Iceland will adopt the Euro. Hrefna cannot control the media frenzy, as Benedikt has assigned her with reclaiming the musical scripts from Denmark. As the parliament discusses the currency, Benedikt is in psychosis. He is summoned to a news-show with the governor of the Central Bank. Irritated, Benedikt declares that Iceland will adopt the Euro unilaterally. Steinunn now attempts to convince Benedikt to see a doctor. Filled with paranoia, Benedikt is assured that her father has gained control of her. He demands a divorce. Having moved into the ministry, Benedikt meets Hrefna at night and abuses her.