The purpose of this publication is to provide a set of ideas and strategies for political parties that wish to become formal opposition parties within their country’s respective legislative branch. This guide includes institutionalized rules and traditions on the role of a formal opposition in many countries, and also includes advice from political parties in countries new to democratic governance who have served in the opposition. 

This guide was developed in response to a request from partner parties as they entered the role of a democratic opposition for the first time. The National Democratic Institute works with political parties from across the political spectrum and with parties both within governing coalitions and in the opposition.