Spanish unionism is a term used mainly by the Basque nationalism and Catalan independence movements to refer to the political attitude which opposes independence[1] and favours the continuity of the Kingdom of Spain as a single united nation-state.
Observations regarding the use of the Spanish term unionismo español inside Spain do not apply necessarily to the use outside Spain of the same term or translations like Spanish unionism.
[2] The expression Spanish unionism has been used as early as March 2009 in the context of the Catalan independence movement.
[4] The adoption of the term unionism into the Spanish context and its loaded usage with negative connotation relates to attempts to draw parallels with the Orange Order of the Unionist movement in Ireland.
[5] Spanish unionism is considered by Basque and Catalan nationalist parties as a political ideology identified by its denial of the exercise of the right of self-determination of the peripheral nationalities of Spain or sometimes by the simple defense of Spain as a nation.