Leader of the Opposition (Portugal)
The Leader of the Opposition (Portuguese: 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 the government; historically, since the Carnation Revolution of 1974, these have almost always been the Socialist and the Social Democratic Parties.
| Leader of the Opposition
Líder da Oposição | |
|---|---|
| Term length | No fixed term While leader of the largest political party not in government |
| Inaugural holder | Francisco de Sá Carneiro (of the Third Republic) |
| Formation | 23 July 1976 (informally) |
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Currently, the Socialist Party holds a minority government. The Opposition consists of the Social Democratic Party, the Left Bloc, the Portuguese Communist Party, CDS – People's Party, People–Animals–Nature, Ecologist Party "The Greens", Enough!, Liberal Initiative, and LIVRE.
The current Leader of the Opposition is Rui Rio, since 18 February 2018, after having been elected President of the Social Democratic Party on the previous 13 January.
Role
Due to its workings being based mostly on custom and convention, the Leader of the Opposition has a small official role, even though it is legally, honorifically, and nominally recognised. Law No. 40/2006, that establishes the order of precedence of public authorities in general official acts, places the Leader of the Opposition in eighth place in the list of precedences, only behind the President of the Republic, the legislative speaker, the sitting Prime Minister of Portugal, the presidents of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, the presidents of the Supreme Administrative Court and the Court of Auditors, former presidents of the Republic, and sitting government ministers.[1]
Even though the Leader of the Opposition is not entitled to a specific salary aside from the one they may have by reason of holding a public office on their own – such as that of deputy – the officeholder usually receives much more attention from the media in parliamentary sessions and activities. It is not, however, required for a Leader of the Opposition to hold the post of deputy in the Assembly of the Republic – Rui Rio, who currently leads the Opposition, held no parliamentary seat[2] until 25 October 2019.
Graphical timeline (since 1976)
List of Leaders of the Opposition
| Colour key (for political parties) |
|---|
Leaders of the Opposition by time in office
References
- "Law of Precedences in the Portuguese State Protocol". Law No. 40/2006 of 25 August 2006. Diário da República (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2018.
- Paula Sá. "Os outros desafios de Rui Rio". Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 19 February 2018.