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Politics & Government vocabulary · Opposition and Accountability

Opposition

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

/ˌɒpəˈzɪʃn/nounCore term

In politics & government, opposition means: The parties in parliament that are not part of the government, especially the largest of them, whose role is to question the government and offer an alternative.

In Turkish: muhalefet

How it is used

Often used with the: the opposition criticized the plan. News reports mention the main opposition party, the opposition leader and opposition MPs. A party that loses power goes into opposition; one that wins comes to power.

Example sentences

  1. The opposition called for a full debate on the new budget.

  2. After twelve years in opposition, the party finally won a majority.

Common collocations

  • the main opposition party
  • opposition leader
  • go into opposition
  • opposition MPs
  • in opposition
  • ruling partyThe political party that is in power and forms the government, either alone or as the largest member of a coalition.
  • governmentThe group of people who run a country at a given time, led by a prime minister or president; more broadly, the system and institutions through which a state is governed.
  • scrutinyCareful and detailed examination of something, especially the way parliament, the media or the public check the actions and decisions of the government.
  • vote of no confidenceA vote in parliament to decide whether the government or a minister still has the support of a majority; if the government loses it, it may have to resign.
  • accountabilityThe duty of people in power to explain their decisions and actions, accept responsibility for them and face consequences if they act wrongly.

More terms: Opposition and Accountability

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