Hans Engell: Jeg kørte ind i en betonklods

August 27, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Hans Engell var på vej hjem fra Christiansborg en aften i 1997, da han kørte ind i en betonklods. Han havde for meget alkohol i blodet, politiet kom, og sagen blev offentlig. Det var ikke en katastrofe i sig selv – han fik en bøde og slap for at overskride promillegrænsen for mandatspørgsmål. Men Engell vidste, at det ikke ville blive ved dét. Han havde været justitsminister og var formand for Det Konservative Folkeparti. Han kendte spillet. Og han vidste, at sagen ville udløse et internt opgør, der ville blive langt og dyrt. Han trak sig som formand i begyndelsen af 1998, og selvom han fik 22.000 personlige stemmer ved det efterfølgende valg – næstflest i partiet – stillede han ikke op igen. Han var færdig i politik.

Fra Christiansborg til chefredaktør

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What you'll learn

1 (00:03) **A Drunk Driving Incident Ends a Political Career** - The host introduces the guest, a former politician and journalist, and asks about the incident that ended his political career.
2 (03:42) **From Journalist to Political Insider** - The guest recounts his early career, starting as a political employee and eventually becoming a press chief, which gave him a front-row seat to strategic political discussions.
3 (10:47) **The Sudden Void of Power** - The guest describes the abrupt end of his 20-year political career and the feeling of emptiness that followed.
4 (15:40) **Life After Politics: The Nordisk Råd and a New Media Role** - The guest discusses the period immediately after leaving politics, including a brief stint at the Nordic Council and a surprising job offer to become editor-in-chief of a major newspaper.
5 (24:53) **Comparing the Political Landscape: Then vs. Now** - The guest compares the political and media environment of 25 years ago to today, highlighting the decline of print media and the shift in political focus.
6 (36:46) **The Thrill of Being a Minister** - The guest reflects on his time as a minister, describing the power and responsibility of the role, including a memorable experience flying a fighter jet.
7 Standout Quotes

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Show Notes

Lyt med, når Hans Engell ser tilbage på livet i toppen af dansk politik, den dramatiske afgang som konservativ formand og overgangen til Ekstra Bladet.

Han fortæller blandt andet om dengang, han gik glip af dannelsen af en regering, fordi han var taget hjem for at lave spaghetti bolognese, og om hvordan det var pludselig at blive chef for journalister, der tidligere havde skrevet kritisk om ham.