opposizione

Opposizione is an Italian noun meaning the act of opposing or the group that opposes those in power. The term derives from the Latin oppositio, and is used in various contexts to denote disagreement, resistance, or contest between parties, ideas, or forces.

In politics, opposizione designates the political opposition within a legislative body—the parties or groups that do not support the government. Its role is to scrutinize government policy, debate legislation, question executive action, and present alternative proposals. The opposition can influence public discourse, shape amendments, and hold the government to account through debates, inquiries, and parliamentary procedures. In many systems, an official "Leader of the Opposition" or an equivalent position coordinates strategy and voices for the opposition.

In astronomy, opposizione describes the configuration in which a planet lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. When a planet is in opposition, it is usually closest and brightest, making it the best time for observation of outer planets. The event occurs at intervals determined by the planet’s orbital period and is often accompanied by apparent retrograde motion from the Earth.

In a broader sense, opposizione can refer to any act or stance of opposition or disagreement—resistance, objection, or protest against a proposal, policy, or authority. The term is commonly used in journalism, law, and everyday speech to describe contrasting positions or conflicts of interest.