Verhofstadt: A Convincing Alternative to Populism Is Needed

Former Belgian Prime Minister and veteran European politician Guy Verhofstadt has warned that rising populism poses a fundamental threat to Europe, arguing that the only effective response is to build a compelling, positive alternative that can win back voters. Speaking in an interview with RTBF’s Matin Premiere program, Verhofstadt presented his diagnosis of Europe’s democratic crisis alongside the release of his new book, “Defeating Trumpism.”

“It’s a European problem because there are many populists in Europe who are inspired by Donald Trump,” Verhofstadt told RTBF. “They always use the same recipe. They don’t tell the truth, and they sow panic and fear among the working classes.”

A Decade of Democratic Backsliding

The interview, published on June 25, 2026, falls exactly 10 years after the Brexit referendum — a moment Verhofstadt describes as a catastrophe for both Britain and Europe. It also comes just over a year after Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024, which Verhofstadt sees as part of a broader global trend.

According to the PopuList survey, a comprehensive academic study published in June 2026, nearly 23% of European voters now cast ballots for far-right parties, up from roughly 10% a decade ago and just 5% in 1995. Far-right parties currently lead in polls across several major European nations, including France, Germany, Austria, and Belgium.

Verhofstadt pointed to figures such as Nigel Farage in the UK and Marine Le Pen in France as examples of European politicians who have adopted Trump-style populist tactics. He warned that the 2027 French presidential election could see Le Pen or her National Rally colleague Jordan Bardella win the presidency, which he described as “a problem for the European engine.”

The Book: A Roadmap for Renewal

“Defeating Trumpism” is the American edition of Verhofstadt’s earlier Dutch-language bestseller “De Burger in Opstand” (“The Revolt of the Citizen”), published in early 2026. The book diagnoses what Verhofstadt calls a deep crisis in liberal democracy and offers a roadmap for countering populism through positive vision rather than mere opposition.

“Create an alternative that can convince and can give new hope to future generations,” Verhofstadt urged, summarizing his core message.

Central to his vision is a call for deeper European integration. He identified ending the unanimity rule in EU decision-making as an “absolute priority,” arguing that single countries should no longer be able to block crucial measures. He pointed to Viktor Orbán’s recent veto of financial aid to Ukraine as a case in point. While welcoming Orbán’s defeat by Peter Magyar in Hungary’s April 2026 elections, Verhofstadt cautioned that “this doesn’t mean we have defeated populism.”

A New Economic Vision

In a notable shift for a liberal politician, Verhofstadt also outlined an economic platform aimed at tackling inequality. He argued that major American technology companies — Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft — have established monopolies that capture the vast majority of capitalist system benefits without adequate redistribution.

“The market works well, except that in today’s world, it’s the big American tech companies that have monopolies and receive all the benefit of the capitalist system,” Verhofstadt said. “We need to redistribute these profits towards the working classes, towards the middle class.”

He proposed that these companies should pay for the use of citizens’ data, which he argues they have monetized for enormous profits. His approach distinguishes itself from left-wing proposals by focusing on taxing corporate profits rather than individual wealth, while still advocating for significant redistribution.

The Migration Paradox

Verhofstadt also addressed the recently approved EU migration and asylum pact, which was passed by a right-wing to far-right majority in the European Parliament. While acknowledging the political shift this represents, he praised the pact for establishing a common European position on migration for the first time.

“In the past, each country had its own policies and they contradicted each other. Here, there is a common position,” he noted, highlighting the tension between his federalist ambitions and his opposition to the rightward political drift.

What Lies Ahead

Verhofstadt’s intervention comes at a pivotal moment for European democracy. With far-right parties polling strongly across the continent and the 2027 French presidential election looming as a potential watershed, his call for a renewed centrist vision carries particular urgency.

The former prime minister acknowledged that centrist parties themselves bear some responsibility for the current crisis. “The problem with politics and liberal democracy today is that there is a crisis in the ‘centrist’ political parties,” he said. “There are no more real projects, no visions for the future.”

Whether Verhofstadt’s proposed alternative — deeper integration, institutional reform, and a new approach to digital taxation — can gain traction remains an open question. But his diagnosis is clear: populism cannot be defeated by opposition alone. It requires a vision compelling enough to win the battle of ideas.