13. In parliament, the term "opposition" refers to...

Answer options

1. 1. the governing parties.
2. 2. all members of parliament who do not belong to the governing party/parties.
3. 3. the parliamentary group with the largest number of members.
4. 4. all parties that were able to clear the 5% threshold in the last election.

Explanation

Correct is option 2: In the Bundestag, the opposition comprises all MPs who do not belong to the parties that support the Federal Government. Its constitutional function is to scrutinize the executive; for that purpose the Basic Law and ordinary law guarantee minority rights, such as committees of inquiry (Art. 44 GG) and information/participation rights under the Rules of Procedure. The possibility of abstract judicial review initiated by one third of the Bundestag (Art. 93(1) no. 2 GG, § 76 BVerfGG) likewise empowers the parliamentary opposition. The 5% threshold (§ 6 Federal Election Act) structures party representation but does not define the opposition; the largest group need not be in government, and the constructive vote of no confidence (Art. 67 GG) links oversight with governmental stability.