Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR since 1938, the collective head of state of the Soviet Union.

Task

The highest organ of state of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet, was divided into two equal chambers, the Soviet Union and the Soviet of Nationalities, which were elected by the citizens of the USSR at the same session every five years. The Supreme Soviet met twice a year. He selected his own ranks 24 members in the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, which also belonged to the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Union republics of ex officio. The Bureau was the constant legislative organ of the USSR. It chose the Council of Ministers.

As before, the chairman of the Central Executive Committee (1922-1938), Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet took the of protocol function of head of state. The political power of the chairman was limited. In the power system of the USSR were the Secretaries-General or the Politburo members on the Executive Committee Chairman, as far as these are not one of these functions also perceived. Between 1977 and 1985, and in 1988 was a personal union of general secretary and chairman.

Since 1977, the Bureau had 39 members who were elected mostly unanimously on a proposal of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the Supreme Soviet.

Procedure and function of the Bureau changed only after the constitution of the Congress of People's Deputies in May 1989 and the presidential system introduced in 1990. In March 1990, the Presidential Council of the USSR, which was replaced by the Security Council of the USSR was established in early 1991.

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

Chairman of the Presidium and the Supreme Soviet (from 1990) and at the same time heads of state of the Soviet Union ( until 1922 Soviet Russia) with following names were: 1922-1938: Chairman of the Central Executive Committee, 1938-1946: Union elder, 1946-1989: Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviets, 1989-1990: Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, 1990-1991: The offices of Chairman of the Supreme Soviet and President are separated.