Incoming Dutch government intends to opt out of EU migration rules

The new Dutch government, which is led by nationalist Geert Wilders' PVV party, intends to opt out of the European Union migration rules.

This move by the incoming government will very likely provoke a conflict between Amsterdam and Brussels even before they take office.

Wilders, who emerged victorious in the elections that were conducted nearly six months ago, on Wednesday agreed to a deal to form a coalition with three right-wing partners.

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He previously announced his decision to back out of the PM race, however, has not yet revealed his choice for the prime minister.

The four-party coalition published its plan on Thursday which stated that the government would aim for the "strictest-ever asylum regime" with tougher border controls and stricter rules for the ones who arrive in the Netherlands seeking asylum.

"An opt-out clause for European asylum and migration policies will be submitted as soon as possible to the European Commission," the coalition says in its pact.

Wilders asserted that this would make the Netherlands a place that the asylum seekers are less attracted to, adding that "people in Africa and the Middle East will start thinking they might be better off elsewhere".

This would make the Netherlands the latest addition to the list of countries that have challenged the European Union's migration policy.

Earlier, Hungary and Poland's previous nationalist governments had announced a similar decision.

Reportedly, Brussels will probably oppose the move as the EU countries have already agreed on their migration agreement and usually the ones opting out of the pact are discussed during the negotiating phase.

"We have a new pact on migration and asylum, which has been voted upon and confirmed and therefore has to be applied," EU Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said at a press briefing in Brussels.

"This legislation will be applied and the commission will play its role in making sure it is."

The Dutch coalition parties said that the entry of foreign students to Dutch universities would become more stringent and that labour migration would also be restrained.

(With inputs from agencies)