Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic


Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, referred to between 1991 and 1996 as the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine was a permanent body of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR that was accountable to it in its activity and, within the limits prescribed by the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, performed functions of the highest state power in the Ukrainian SSR. It was first established by the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR in 1937 and was elected for the first time on December 27, 1938, at the first session of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR. The presidium later became the permanent body of the Post-Soviet legislature of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada, and was discontinued upon the adaption of the Constitution of Ukraine on June 28, 1996.

Background

According to the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, the presidium was elected by the Supreme Soviet from among the people's deputies, at the first session of each following convocation for the entire term of the Supreme Soviet; however, when a new convocation of the Supreme Soviet was elected, the outgoing Presidium retained its powers until a new presidium was elected. The presidium was competent to issue ukazes and resolutions and possessed the right of legislative initiative in the Supreme Soviet, and was, in effect, the Ukrainian SSR's collective Head of State. The Constitution also required more detailed provisions regarding the legal status, competence, order of formation and activity of the Presidium to be defined by the standing orders of the Supreme Soviet.
After 1991, the powers of the Presidium have narrowed. Some authority was delegated to the newly created post of the President of Ukraine, while more authority was transferred away to the Verkhovna Rada.

Composition

The Presidium was initially composed of chairman, two vice-chairmen, a secretary and 15 ordinary members. Following the adoption of the 1978 Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, the number of vice-chairmen was increased to three and the number of ordinary members became 20.

Powers

At the adoption of the 1978 Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, the presidium had the powers to:

Chairmen of the Presidium (distinct office)