Leader of the Opposition

The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest political party not in government, typical in countries utilizing the parliamentary system form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically seen as an alternative prime minister, premier, first minister, or chief minister to the incumbent; in the Westminster system, they head a rival alternative government known as the shadow cabinet or opposition front bench.^[1]^[2] The same term is also used to refer to the leader of the largest political party that is not in government in subnational state, provincial, and other regional and local legislatures.^{[citation needed]}

The full title for the Leader of the Opposition is the Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition in the United Kingdom^[3]^[4] and in many Commonwealth realms.

Current leaders of the opposition

Parliamentary systems

Leader of the Opposition (Albania) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Cambodia)
Leader of the Opposition (Comoros)
Leader of the Opposition (Croatia) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Denmark) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Germany) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Greece)
Leader of the Opposition (Hungary) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Italy) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Montenegro) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Norway) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Pakistan)
Leader of the Opposition (Portugal) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Spain) (unofficial position)
Leader of the Opposition (Sweden) (unofficial position)

Westminster system

Semi-presidential systems

Presidential systems

Other

Leader of the Opposition (Guyana)

Historical leader of the opposition positions

Leader of the Opposition (Rhodesia)

References

^ "How the UK Parliament Works" (PDF). UK Parliament. June 2022. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
^ "Leader of the Opposition". Parliamentary Education Office (Australia). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
^ Foord, Archibald S (1964). His Majesty's Opposition, 1714-1830. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-19-821311-6.
^ Hobhouse, John (10 April 1826). "Salary To The President Of The Board Of Trade". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 15. House of Commons. col. 135.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[1] "How the UK Parliament Works" (PDF). UK Parliament. June 2022. p. 4. Retrieved 2 November 2024.

[2] "Leader of the Opposition". Parliamentary Education Office (Australia). 22 December 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2024.

[3] Foord, Archibald S (1964). His Majesty's Opposition, 1714-1830. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-19-821311-6.

[4] Hobhouse, John (10 April 1826). "Salary To The President Of The Board Of Trade". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Vol. 15. House of Commons. col. 135.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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