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 A parliamentary system, or parliamentarian democracy, is a system of democratic governance of a state (or subordinate entity) where the executive derives its democratic legitimacy from its ability to command the support ("confidence") of th ...

form of government. The leader of the opposition is typically seen as an alternative

prime minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister i ...

, premier,

first minister A first minister is any of a variety of leaders of government cabinets. The term literally has the same meaning as "prime minister" but is typically chosen to distinguish the office-holder from a superior prime minister. Currently the title of ' ...

, or

chief minister A chief minister is an elected or appointed head of government of – in most instances – a sub-national entity, for instance an administrative subdivision or federal constituent entity. Examples include a state (and sometimes a union terri ...

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 A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or p ...

that is not in

government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government is ...

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''.

Current leaders of the opposition

Parliamentary systems

* Leader of the Opposition (Albania) (unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Cambodia) The Minority Leader ( km, ប្រធានក្រុមភាគតិច), or the Leader of the Opposition, leads the largest political party not in government in the National Assembly of Cambodia. The Minority Leader acts as a dialogue part ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Comoros) * Leader of the Opposition (Croatia) (unofficial position) * Leader of the Opposition (Denmark) (unofficial position) *

Leader of the opposition (Germany) The Leader of the Opposition in Germany is the parliamentary leader of the largest political party in the Bundestag that is not in government. In Germany, the Leader of the Opposition is an informal title that is not even mentioned and does not ...

(unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Greece) The Leader of the Official Opposition ( el, Αρχηγός της Αξιωματικής Αντιπολίτευσης) is the politician who leads the official Opposition in Greece. Role The Leader of the Opposition is normally the leader of the ...

Leader of the Opposition (Hungary) The Leader of the Opposition ( hu, Az ellenzék vezetője) is an unofficial title held by the leader of the largest party not within the government. The Opposition ( hu, Ellenzék) in Hungary is the body of political parties represented in the ...

(unofficial position) * Leader of the Opposition (Italy) (unofficial position) * Leader of the Opposition (Montenegro) (unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Norway) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets v ...

(unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Portugal) The Leader of the Opposition ( pt, Líder da Oposição) is an unofficial, mostly conventional and honorary title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party in the Assembly of the Republic – the Portuguese parliament – not within ...

(unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Spain) The Leader of the Opposition ( es, Líder de la oposición) is an unofficial, mostly conventional and honorary title frequently (but not exclusively) held by the leader of the largest party in the Congress of Deputies—the lower house of the Spa ...

(unofficial position) *

Leader of the Opposition (Sweden) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...

(unofficial position)

Westminster system

Leader of the Opposition (Antigua and Barbuda) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Australia) **

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Australia) The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate is a party office held by the Opposition's most senior member of the Shadow Cabinet in the Australian Senate, elected to lead the opposition party (or parties) in the body. Though the leader in the Senat ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Australian Capital Territory) **

Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales) The Leader of the Opposition is a title held by the leader of the second-largest party in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament of New South Wales. There is also a Leader of the Opposition in the Legislativ ...

Leader of the Opposition (Northern Territory) The Leader of the Opposition is an official role usually occupied by the leader of the second largest party in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. In the event that that party or coalition wins an election, the Leader of the Opposition wi ...

Leader of the Opposition (Queensland) The Leader of the Opposition in Queensland is the title of the leader of the largest minority political party or coalition of parties, known as the Opposition, in the Parliament of Queensland. Prior to 1898, opposition to the government of the ...

Leader of the Opposition (South Australia) The Leader of the Opposition in South Australia is the leader of the largest minority political party or coalition of parties, known as the Opposition, in the House of Assembly of the Parliament of South Australia. By convention, the leader of ...

Leader of the Opposition (Tasmania) The Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania is the title of the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the Tasmanian House of Assembly. They act as the public face of the opposition, leads the opposition on the floor of par ...

Leader of the Opposition (Victoria) The Leader of His Majesty's Opposition in Victoria is the leader of the largest political party in parliament but not in government. They are always a member of the Legislative Assembly. The office is currently held by John Pesutto after his ...

Leader of the Opposition (Western Australia) In the Australian state of Western Australia, the Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest minority political party or coalition of parties in the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia. By convention, the l ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Bahamas) *

Leader of the Opposition (Bangladesh) The Leader of the Opposition ( bn, বিরোধীদলীয় নেতা ) leads the Official Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad, the national parliament of Bangladesh. The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest political p ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Barbados) *

Leader of the Opposition (Belize) The Leader of the Opposition (officially the Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition of Belize) is an elected official who, according to the Constitution, "commands the support of those elected officials that do not support the Government." ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Botswana) *

Leader of the Official Opposition (Canada) The leader of the Official Opposition (french: chef de l'Opposition officielle), formally known as the leader of Majesty's Loyal Opposition (french: chef de la loyale opposition de Sa Majesté, links=no), is the politician who leads the Offic ...

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Canada) In Canada, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (french: Chef de l'opposition au Sénat) is the leader of the largest party in the Senate not in government. Even though the position's name is very similar to the Leader of the Opposition ...

Leader of the Opposition (Alberta) The leader of the Official Opposition, formally known as the leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition, is the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) who leads the Official Opposition, typically the second largest party in the provincial legislat ...

Leader of the Opposition (British Columbia) The leader of the Opposition (french: chef de l'Opposition) in British Columbia is the member of the Legislative Assembly A member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to a legislative as ...

Leader of the Opposition (Manitoba) A list of parliamentary opposition leaders in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, Canada, from 1870 to the present. William Alexander Macdonald was the first officially recognized leader of the Opposition in Manitoba although Rodmond Roblin is co ...

Leader of the Opposition (New Brunswick) The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government. The leader of the Opposition is often seen as the alternative P ...

Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador) The leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. ''This list is incomplete'' Re ...

Leader of the Opposition (Nova Scotia) The leader of the Opposition () in Nova Scotia is the MLA in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly who leads the political party recognized as the Official Opposition. This status generally goes to the leader of the second largest party in the Legisl ...

Leader of the Opposition (Ontario) The Leader of the Official Opposition (french: Chef de l'opposition officielle) in Ontario, officially Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition (french: Chef de la loyale opposition de Sa Majesté), is the leader of the largest party in the Legis ...

Leader of the Opposition (Prince Edward Island) The leader of the Opposition in Prince Edward Island is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. ''This list is incomplete'' {{Politics of Prince ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Quebec) **

Leader of the Opposition (Saskatchewan) A list of Official Opposition (Canada), parliamentary opposition leaders in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan, from 1906 to the present. (1) There was no designated Leader of the Opposition for t ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Yukon) *

Leader of the Opposition (Dominica) The Leader of the Opposition'' of the Commonwealth of Dominica is the Member of Parliament who leads the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly of Dominica. The current Leader of the Opposition is Jesma Paul, an independent candidate of ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Fiji) *

Leader of the Opposition (Grenada) Leader of the Opposition (officially the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition) is usually the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives of Grenada that is not in government. The Leader of the Opposition is appointed by Gov ...

Leader of the Opposition (India) The Leaders of the Opposition of India (IAST: ) are the politicians who lead the official opposition in either House of the Parliament of India. The Leader of the Opposition is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest political party in t ...

** Federal opposition leaders **

Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha (IAST: ) is an elected Member of Rajya Sabha who leads the official opposition in the Upper House of the Parliament of India. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha is the parliamentary chai ...

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (IAST: ) is an elected Member of Lok Sabha who leads the official opposition in the Lower House of the Parliament of India. The Leader of the Opposition is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest ...

** State level opposition leaders ** Leader of the Opposition (Andhra Pradesh) ** Leader of the Opposition (Madhya Pradesh) ** Leader of the Opposition (Gujarat) ** Leader of the Opposition (Jharkhand) ** Leader of the Opposition (Maharashtra) ** Leader of the Opposition (Kerala) ** Leader of the Opposition (Delhi) **

Leader of the Opposition (Punjab) The Leader of the Opposition of Punjab (Urdu: قائد حزب اختلاف پنجاب), is an elected politician who is, by Pakistani law, the leader of the Official Opposition in the Province of Punjab. The Leader of the Opposition leads the Op ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Telangana) ** Leader of the Opposition (Uttar Pradesh) ** Leader of the Opposition (Uttarakhand) ** Leader of the Opposition (West Bengal) ** Leader of the Opposition (Tamil Nadu) ** Leader of the Opposition (Karnataka) *

Leader of the Opposition (Ireland) The Leader of the Opposition ( ga, Ceannaire an Fhreasúra) in Ireland is a term sometimes used to describe the politician who leads the largest party in the Parliamentary Opposition in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann. I ...

Leader of the Opposition (Israel) In Israel, the Leader of the Opposition ( he, רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה, ''Rosh HaOpozitzya'') is the politician who leads the Official Opposition in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. The Leader of the Opposition is, by con ...

Leader of the Opposition (Jamaica) In Jamaica, the Leader of the Opposition (officially the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition) is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives that is not in government. The Leader of the Opposition is seen as the alter ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Japan) (unofficial position) * Leader of the Opposition (Kuwait) * Leader of the Opposition (Lesotho) *

Leader of the Opposition (Malaysia) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Malaysian State Legislative Assemblies) * Leader of the Opposition (Malta) * Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius) * Leader of the Opposition (Myanmar) * Leader of the Opposition (Nepal) *

Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand) In New Zealand, the Leader of the Opposition (or Opposition leader) is a senior politician who leads the Official Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is, by convention, the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representa ...

** Leader of the Opposition (Cook Islands) *

Leader of the Opposition (Pakistan) The Leader of the Opposition (Urdu: قائد حزب اختلاف), is the people's elected politician who is, by law, the leader of the Official Opposition in Pakistan. The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest political party i ...

Leader of the Opposition of Punjab (Pakistan) The Leader of the Opposition of Punjab (Urdu: قائد حزب اختلاف پنجاب), is an elected politician who is, by Pakistani law, the leader of the Official Opposition in the Province of Punjab. The Leader of the Opposition leads the Oppo ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Papua New Guinea) * Leader of the Opposition (Saint Kitts and Nevis) * Leader of the Opposition (Saint Lucia) * Leader of the Opposition (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) *

Leader of the Opposition (Singapore) The leader of the opposition is a position in the Parliament of Singapore. The leader of the opposition is the leader of the majority opposition party in the Parliament, and is appointed by the prime minister. The first ''de jure'' leader of t ...

Leader of the Opposition (Solomon Islands) In the Solomon Islands, the Leader of the Official Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in the National Parliament that is not in government. The title of "Leader of the Opposition" is common to the Commonwealth realms and seve ...

Leader of the Opposition (South Africa) The Leader of the Opposition in South Africa is the leader of the largest political party in the National Assembly that is not in government. The House of Assembly was the most important House from 1910 to 1994 and the National Assembly from 19 ...

Leader of the Opposition (Thailand) The Leader of the Opposition ( th, ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎร; ) is the politician in the politics of Thailand who leads the main minority party in the House of Representatives. The Lead ...

Leader of the Opposition (Trinidad and Tobago) The Leader of the Opposition (officially the Leader of the Opposition of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago) is the leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives that is not in government. The Leader of the Opposition ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Tuvalu) *

Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom) The Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition, more commonly referred to as the Leader of the Opposition, is the person who leads the Official Opposition in the United Kingdom. The position is seen as the shadow head of government of the Uni ...

Leader of the Opposition (Scotland) In the Scottish Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition (more formally, the Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament) is an unofficial title held by the leader of the largest political party in the Scottish Parliament that is not ...

(unofficial position) ** Leader of the Opposition (Wales) **

Leader of the Opposition (Northern Ireland) In Northern Ireland, the Leader of the Opposition was the leader of the largest political party in the House of Commons of Northern Ireland that was not in the government of the day. The position was eliminated in 1972 when the Stormont Parlia ...

** British Overseas Territories *** Leader of the Opposition (Anguilla) *** Leader of the Opposition (Bermuda) *** Leader of the Opposition (British Virgin Islands) *** Leader of the Opposition (Cayman Islands) *** Leader of the Opposition (Gibraltar) *** Leader of the Opposition (Montserrat) ***

Leader of the Opposition (Turks and Caicos Islands) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...

* Leader of the Opposition (Vanuatu)

Semi-presidential systems

Leader of the Opposition in the French Senate The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate ( French: ''chef de l'opposition au Sénat'') is the leader of the largest opposition group in the Senate of France. The status has no official recognition in the French Constitution. What is more, the i ...

Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka) In Sri Lanka, the Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest political party in Parliament that is not in government. This is usually the leader of the second-largest party in Parliament. Sajith Premadasa officially took office as Lea ...

Presidential systems

Leader of the Opposition (Peru) Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to "lead", influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The word "leadership" often gets view ...

* Leader of the Main Opposition (Turkey) * Leader of the Opposition (Uganda) * Leader of the Opposition (Zambia)

Other

* Leader of the Opposition (Guyana)

Historical leader of the opposition positions

Leader of the Opposition (Rhodesia) The Leader of the Opposition in Southern Rhodesia and Rhodesia was a title held by the leader of the largest political party in the most important house of the legislature that was not in government. This was the unicameral Legislative Assembl ...

Current leaders of the opposition

Parliamentary systems

Westminster system

Semi-presidential systems

Presidential systems

Other

Historical leader of the opposition positions

See also