Glossary · U
UCD (Union of the Democratic Centre)
Unión de Centro Democrático: coalition that piloted the Transition and governed Spain between 1977 and 1982 under Adolfo Suárez and Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo. Its breakup in 1982 opened the era of PSOE-AP/PP two-party rule.
Ultra-right
Political space to the right of the classical right, marked by radical nationalism, anti-immigration positions and rejection of the established consensus. A contested label that the left applies to Vox.
Unidos Podemos / Unidas Podemos
Electoral coalition between Podemos and Izquierda Unida that ran from 2016 and was part of the first coalition government of Spain's democracy (2020-2023) before being replaced by Sumar.
Unilateralism (Catalan)
Strategy of advancing toward independence without agreement with the state, embraced by the Catalan independentist movement during the procés (DUI, 1-O referendum). Counterposed to 'dialogue' from 2018 onward.