COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The Danish People's Party, an anti-immigration and nationalist group that supports the center-right government, says Denmark should halt immigration from Muslim countries, citing the threat of violence from Islamic extremists.

In an interview published Thursday, deputy party leader Soeren Espersen told the Berlingske newspaper that Muslim migrants should be barred from entering Denmark for four to six years because "we need a respite after recent terrorist attacks in Europe."

Martin Henriksen, another senior party member, confirmed to Denmark's TV2 that it was the group's stance.

Critics including the opposition Social Democrats lashed out at the proposal, saying it wrongly conflates mainstream Muslims with Islamic extremists and compared it to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's plan to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.

Government officials didn't immediately comment on the proposal.