Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (TheodoresTomfooleries)

Presidium of the Supreme Soviet Президиум Верховного Совета
Supreme Soviet of the USSR
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Established	17 January 1938 (1938-01-17)
Preceded by	Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union
Seats	40
Elections
Voting system	Election by joint session of both houses of the Supreme Soviet
Meeting place
Kremlin Presidium, Moscow Kremlin

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (Russian: Президиум Верховного Совета, romanized: Prezidium Verkhovnogo Soveta) is the standing body of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, the legislature and highest body of state authority of the Soviet Union. Its members are elected by members of both houses of the Supreme Soviet to act on their behalf between sessions of the Supreme Soviet.

The Presidium consists of a chairman, who is referred to as the President, a vice-chairman, a secretary, 15 deputies per each soviet republic, and 21 members from both of the Supreme Soviet's chambers. The Presidium's chairman acts as the head of state of the Soviet Union.

Constitutional powers

According to the Constitution of the Soviet Union, the Presidium, when it is acting on the behalf of the Supreme Soviet, has the following basic powers:

• Amending existing legislative acts
• Approving changes in the boundaries between Union Republics
• Forming and abolising ministries and state committees on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers
• Relieving individual members of the Council of Ministers of their responsibilities, and appointing persons to the Council of Ministers on the advice of its Chairman

In addition to this, the Presidium can also:

• Name the date of elections to the Supreme Soviet
• Coordinate the work of the standing commissions of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet
• Ensure observance of the Constitution of the USSR, and conformity of the constitutions and laws of republics to the constitution and laws of the USSR
• Interpret the laws of the USSR
• Proclaim martial law
• Order general or partial mobilisation
• Proclaim a state of war between sessions of the Supreme Soviet