Chirac en Schröder naar Barcelona om Spaanse 'ja'-campagne te ondersteunen (en)

French and German leaders are heading for Spain to boost the yes-campaign in the run up to the first referendum on the EU Constitution.

Spain is the first of ten countries in the EU to ratify the treaty by popular vote, which will be held on Sunday, 20 February.

French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder will arrive in Barcelona tonight to endorse the pro-Constitution forces, led by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Their Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi was also expected, but had to decline because of having the flu, media reported.

Both the ruling Socialists (PSOE) and opposition People's Party (PP) support the document, and the polls show that a clear majority of 40 percent is likely to vote in favour, with a mere seven percent opposed.

However, there remains a large group of floating voters and 90 percent of Spaniards are said to know nothing or very little about the Constitution.

Given the gloomy predictions of indifference and lack of knowledge among citizens, Mr Zapatero has spent about 7.5 million euro on the government's campaign, dubbed, "The First with Europe".

And before today's visit from his high profile European colleagues, Mr Zapatero had famous Spanish football players performing in TV advertisements endorsing the new EU treaty, while a shortened version was spread around at football matches or in newspapers.

The outcome as well as the turnout in the Spanish poll is likely to be crucial for other countries enrolled for an 18-month referendum marathon.

Unlike in Spain, the cabinets in some other countries, like the UK, the Czech Republic or Poland will have to care far more not only about persuading people to vote, but also to vote yes to the treaty.