Congress of Peopleās Deputies
Quick Summary
The Congress of People's Deputies was a new parliament established in the Soviet Union in 1988 as part of Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika reforms. Similar congresses were created in each Soviet republic. For the first time, elections to these bodies allowed voters to choose from multiple candidates, including non-communists, though the Communist Party still held significant influence.12
The soviet system itself originated in 1905 as councils of workers' deputies. These soviets, which officially performed both legislative and executive functions, became primary units of government at various levels throughout the Soviet Union. The Communist Party heavily dominated the political process, and elections were largely ritualistic until the late 1980s reforms. The Soviet Union officially dissolved in December 1991.31
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
RussiaGovernment and societyIn 1988 the Soviet Congress of Peopleās Deputies was created, and a Congress of Peopleās Deputies was established in each republic. For the first time, elections to these bodies presented voters with a choice of candidates, including noncommunists, though the Communist Party continued to dominate the system.
Read MoreIn 1988 the Soviet Congress of Peopleās Deputies was created, and a Congress of Peopleās Deputies was established in each republic. For the first time, elections to these bodies presented voters with a choice of candidates, including noncommunists, though the Communist Party continued to dominate the system.
Read More
RussiaThe Gorbachev era: perestroika and glasnostA new parliament, the Congress of Peopleās Deputies, was convened in the spring of 1989, with Gorbachev presiding. The new body superseded the Supreme Soviet as the highest organ of state power. The Congress elected a new Supreme Soviet, and Gorbachev, who had opted for an executive presidency modeledā¦
Read MoreA new parliament, the Congress of Peopleās Deputies, was convened in the spring of 1989, with Gorbachev presiding. The new body superseded the Supreme Soviet as the highest organ of state power. The Congress elected a new Supreme Soviet, and Gorbachev, who had opted for an executive presidency modeledā¦
Read More
Soviet Unionā¦old Supreme Soviet with the Congress of Peopleās Deputies of the U.S.S.R. The new congress had 2,250 members; one-third of these were elected on a constituency basis, one-third represented the political territories (as in the old Supreme Soviet), and the remaining third came from āall-union social organizationsā such as theā¦
Read Moreā¦old Supreme Soviet with the Congress of Peopleās Deputies of the U.S.S.R. The new congress had 2,250 members; one-third of these were elected on a constituency basis, one-third represented the political territories (as in the old Supreme Soviet), and the remaining third came from āall-union social organizationsā such as theā¦
Read More
Soviet UnionPolitical restructuringCongress of Peopleās Deputies, which replaced the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet as the highest organ of state power, took place in March 1989. About 88 percent of the deputies were communists, but by then the Communist Party was no longer a monolithic party. The congress electedā¦
Read MoreCongress of Peopleās Deputies, which replaced the U.S.S.R. Supreme Soviet as the highest organ of state power, took place in March 1989. About 88 percent of the deputies were communists, but by then the Communist Party was no longer a monolithic party. The congress electedā¦
Read More

