A party may now enter official opposition if was entitled to Ministerial roles under the D'Hondt method, or if it wins 8% or more of the seats, an opportunity qualified for and taken by the UUP and SDLP following the 2016 election.
A party may now form or join an Assembly Opposition, granting it additional speaking, scrutiny and funding rights, if it was entitled to Ministerial roles under the D'Hondt method and declined them, or if it wins 8% or more of the seats. This opportunity was qualified for and taken by the UUP and SDLP following the 2016 election.