Leader of the Opposition (Portugal)

The Leader of the Opposition in Portugal is a conventionally understood role, though not formally defined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic or any specific statute. It refers to the Member of Parliament (deputado) who leads the largest political party not in government. This individual acts as the principal spokesperson for the opposition and is responsible for holding the government accountable for its policies and actions.

While there is no official recognition in the same way as in some other parliamentary systems, the Leader of the Opposition is generally recognized by the media, the public, and other politicians. They usually have certain privileges, such as guaranteed speaking time in parliamentary debates and the opportunity to respond to major government announcements.

The position is typically held by the leader of the largest party that is not part of the governing coalition or, if there is no coalition, the leader of the party with the second-most seats in the Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República). The incumbent changes when the political landscape shifts, either through a change in government after an election or through a change in leadership within the main opposition party.