 Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, speeks to the people in a televised speech from his residence Marienborg. He looks back on political events of 1998, including a European Union referendum and economical and political reforms. Following a time of public distrust in him as a leader, he stresses the importance of political leadership even when unpopular decisions are demanded. He looks ahead to challenges for the welfare state and for the European Union.