Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Spanish prime minister, is this week staking his political reputation on a successful referendum to ratify a constitution for Europe.

All eyes in Europe will be upon us on February 20, Mr Zapatero says. He wants his fellow citizens to be Othe first in Europe - not just at the ballot box but also in their enthusiasm for the European Union and its new charter. The outcome of the referendum is not in doubt, as all mainstream parties are campaigning for a Yes vote. What worries the government and Spain's allies abroad is that a low turnout will mar the result. France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Britain, which will be holding their own, far trickier plebiscites during the next two years, have sent envoys to Spain for a closer look at how Mr Zapatero is selling the European constitution.