Polish president seeks review of judicial reform bill needed for EU funds

The flags of Poland and European Union are tied together during a rally in support of Poland's membership in the European Union after the country's Constitutional Tribunal ruled on the primacy of the constitution over EU law, undermining a key tenet of European integration, in Rzeszow, Poland, October 10, 2021. Patryk Ogorzalek/Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish President Andrzej Duda said he doubted the constitutionality of judicial reform legislation the country needed to pass to access European Union funds and had decided to refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal for review on Friday.

Brussels has withheld 35.4 billion euros ($37.79 billion) in COVID-19 recovery funds in a disagreement over Poland's rule of law, and has required reform on issues such as judicial independence and green energy before giving Warsaw the cash.