Poland wins temporary EU reprieve in fight over rule of law

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki arrives at a European Union leaders informal summit in Brussels, Belgium, February 23, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Poland has won a breathing space in its long-running battle with the European Union over the rule of law, pending the outcome of "sensitive talks" between Warsaw and Brussels, diplomats and officials say.

Poland's nationalist ruling party, Law and Justice (PiS), is under fire from the executive European Commission, some Western countries and rights groups over its overhaul of the judicial system that critics say undermines democracy in the ex-communist country.