Spain in EU constitution ad blitz

By Katya Adler
BBC News, Madrid

Spain is widely expected to say 'Yes' to the proposed text

A host of Spanish celebrities are due to kick off a government campaign to publicise the European Union's proposed constitution.

Spain is the first EU member to submit the proposed text to a referendum, which will take place on 20 February.

Opinion polls all predict a positive outcome - but Spanish officials worry the turnout may be embarrassingly low.

Nationwide surveys last month found up to 90% of Spaniards have little or no idea about the constitution's text.

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That is why football stars, celebrity actors, singers, writers and journalists have been asked to lend their support.

Starting from Friday, these personalities - whose faces are familiar to millions of Spaniards - will read out parts of the constitution on Spanish TV every day at midday.

"The First with Europe" is the slogan of the Spanish government's campaign.

Information leaflets are also to be handed out at all first and second division league football matches between now and the referendum.

Five million free summaries of the constitution text are to be distributed with the country's Sunday newspapers, and Spanish schoolchildren are to be treated to a Europe Day to learn about their country's future in the EU.