Spaniards overwhelmingly approved the European Union (EU) constitution in a non-binding referendum on Sunday, preliminary results show.

A total of 76.7 percent of voters backed the constitution, while 17.3 percent voted against it, Interior Minister Jose Antonio Alonso told reporters on Sunday night after 99.8 percent of the ballots were counted.

Despite a government publicity campaign, turnout was just 42 percent, the lowest in any vote in Spain since democracy was restored after the death of Gen. Francisco Franco in 1975.

However, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said in a televised speech that he was "very satisfied" with the results and turnout, adding that support for the constitution "has been very broad."

"Today we Spaniards made European history because our vote is a message directed to the rest of Europe's citizens, who were waiting eagerly for our response," said Zapatero.

Many people fear the low turnout may have dented the EU's and Madrid's hopes that the vote would send a strong signal to the rest of the 25-nation bloc.

The constitution, designed to modernize the bloc's unwieldy institutions following entries of 10 new members last May, must receive unanimous ratification from all of its 25 members in order to become effective.

Supporters hope a high turnout in a convincing vote in Spain, the first EU member to vote on the constitution, would help dampen the "no" cries from opposing countries such as Britain and France.

Spaniards gave their big "yes" to the EU constitution largely because of the great benefit the country has received from its membership, analysts said.

Zapatero had said the Spanish approval would be a natural progression for a country that was a relative latecomer to the EU, and has benefited greatly from the membership in everything from aid funds to culture and science.

Both the ruling Socialists and the conservative opposition Popular Party backed the "yes" vote. The referendum is not legally binding, with parliament having the final say.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2005)