Poland will put off a referendum on the European Union (EU) constitution after an EU decision to extend the ratification deadline, Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said on Tuesday.

"A referendum in October as we have planned is unrealistic," said Kwasniewski.

"The referendum should take place in Poland but timing is uncertain," he said, adding that the referendum on the treaty would be held "later rather than sooner."

The president said he would leave the issue to his successor and suggested that there should be a far-reaching public debate before the charter is put to a vote.

Kwasniewski, who is due to leave office soon after two terms, was in favor of holding a referendum on Oct. 9, the day for presidential elections.

Poland, which joined the EU in May 2004, wants to ratify the constitution to show the 25-member union has a long-term future.

Kwasniewski and other Polish politicians have vowed to continue to ratify the landmark EU treaty, saying it is in the best interest of the country.

The EU leaders agreed last Thursday to extend the November 2006 deadline for ratifying the EU constitution -- without deciding on a new date -- to allow each country to take stock after the treaty was rejected in France and the Netherlands.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2005)