In a new book published this month in the Netherlands, Bas Erlings, a former strategic advisor for the center-right liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), argues categorically against any formal collaboration with the far-right. To form a government with them “is the stupidest thing you can do,” Erlings writes the book, the title of which translates to The Populist’s Game: How They Plan It, How We Win It, because you find yourself constantly “crossing your own borders.”

When the four-party Dutch government—the first ever in which the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) took part—collapsed on June 3, Erlings received confirmation for his argument and a publicity boost with the Dutch public. But the book also deserves to be translated for international audiences. With the Trump administration actively supporting far-right parties across Europe, effectively pushing for regime change, Erlings’s message has become urgent for the entire continent.

In a new book published this month in the Netherlands, Bas Erlings, a former strategic advisor for the center-right liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), argues categorically against any formal collaboration with the far-right. To form a government with them “is the stupidest thing you can do,” Erlings writes the book, the title of which translates to The Populist’s Game: How They Plan It, How We Win It, because you find yourself constantly “crossing your own borders.”

When the four-party Dutch government—the first ever in which the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) took part—collapsed on June 3, Erlings received confirmation for his argument and a publicity boost with the Dutch public. But the book also deserves to be translated for international audiences. With the Trump administration actively supporting far-right parties across Europe, effectively pushing for regime change, Erlings’s message has become urgent for the entire continent.

Erlings was a longtime advisor to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte while Rutte served as prime minister of the Netherlands between 2010 and 2024, leading four different governments in that time. The first government, which lasted two years, relied on outside support by the PVV, which is led by Geert Wilders. This setup allowed Wilders to attack the government while at the same time determining its red lines and boundaries on issues that he felt strongly about (or against), such as the European Union or immigration. If those boundaries were crossed, Wilders would threaten to withdraw parliamentary support for the governing coalition. This happened in 2012, so Rutte’s government collapsed.

After that experience, Rutte publicly swore never........

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