Parliamentary opposition

{{Short description|Form of political opposition within a parliamentary system of government}} {{Other uses|Opposition (politics)}} {{one source|date=February 2021}} {{Party politics}}

'''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".

In first-past-the-post assemblies, where the tendency to gravitate into two major parties or party groupings operates strongly, ''government'' and ''opposition'' roles can go to the two main groupings serially in alternation.

The more proportionally representative a system, the greater the likelihood of multiple political parties appearing in the parliamentary debating chamber. Such systems can foster multiple "opposition" parties which may have little in common and minimal desire to form a united bloc opposed to the government of the day.

Some well-organised democracies, dominated long-term by a single faction, reduce their parliamentary opposition to tokenism. In some cases, in more authoritarian countries, tame "opposition" parties are created by the governing groups in order to create an impression of democratic debate.

Some legislatures offer opposition parties particular powers. In Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, 20 days each year are set aside as "Opposition Days" or "Supply Days", during which the opposition gets to set the agenda.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fontana |first1=David |title=Government in Opposition |journal=The Yale Law Journal |date=2009 |volume=119 |page=575 |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/157779043.pdf}}</ref> Canada also has a Question Period, during which the opposition (and the Parliament generally) can ask questions of government ministers.

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Parliamentary opposition Category:Legislatures Category:Westminster system