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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. 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. In many Commonwealth realms, the full title for the Leader of the Opposition is the Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition. 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 (Portugal) (unofficial position) Leader of the Opposition (Spain) (unofficial position) Leader of the Opposition (Sweden) (unofficial position) Leader of the Opposition (Antigua and Barbuda) Leader of the Opposition (Australia) Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Australia) Leader of the Opposition (Australian Capital Territory) Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales) Leader of the Opposition (Northern Territory) Leader of the Opposition (Queensland) Leader of the Opposition (South Australia) Leader of the Opposition (Tasmania) Leader of the Opposition (Victoria) Leader of the Opposition (Western Australia) Leader of the Opposition (Bahamas) Leader of the Opposition

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Related concepts (4)
Parliamentary opposition
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. This article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state. In some countries, the title of "Official Opposition" is conferred upon the largest political party sitting in opposition in the legislature, with said party's leader being accorded the title "Leader of the Opposition".
Shadow cabinet
The shadow cabinet or shadow ministry is a feature of the Westminster system of government. It consists of a senior group of opposition spokespeople who, under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, form an alternative cabinet to that of the government, and whose members shadow or mirror the positions of each individual member of the Cabinet. Their areas of responsibility, in parallel with the ruling party's ministries, may be referred to as a shadow portfolio. Members of a shadow cabinet have no executive power.
Westminster system
The Westminster system or Westminster model is a type of parliamentary government that incorporates a series of procedures for operating a legislature, first developed in England. Key aspects of the system include an executive branch made up of members of the legislature, and that is responsible to the legislature; the presence of parliamentary opposition parties; and a ceremonial head of state who is different from the head of government. The term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the current seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
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