Supreme Soviet
Quick Summary
The Supreme Soviet was the highest legislative body in the former Soviet Union and its republics. The Soviet Union itself was a vast Eurasian empire that existed from 1917/22 to 1991, encompassing 15 Soviet Socialist Republics.12
The foundation of the Soviet government was the Soviets of People's Deputies, which existed at all administrative levels. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR, located in Moscow, was nominally in control. It consisted of two chambers: the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities.2
Elections to these bodies were typically controlled by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), which held a monopoly on power for much of the USSR's existence. While theoretically a legislative body, real decision-making power often resided with smaller groups like the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, which was influenced by the CPSU's Politburo. In 1989, the Supreme Soviet was replaced by the Congress of People's Deputies as the highest organ of state power, though a new bicameral legislature, also called the Supreme Soviet, was elected from within the Congress.3425
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.
UkrainePolitical processâŠlegislation approved by the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet originated in, or was approved by, the CPU. A change to the Ukrainian constitution in October 1990 allowed nascent political parties to be officially recognized. Subsequently, a wide array of parties emerged. Many parties, however, have lacked strong organizational bases and coherent platforms,âŠ
Read MoreâŠlegislation approved by the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet originated in, or was approved by, the CPU. A change to the Ukrainian constitution in October 1990 allowed nascent political parties to be officially recognized. Subsequently, a wide array of parties emerged. Many parties, however, have lacked strong organizational bases and coherent platforms,âŠ
Read More
Soviet UnionâŠthe nominal control of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., located in Moscow. This body had two chambersâthe Soviet of the Union, with 750 members elected on a single-member constituency basis; and the Soviet of Nationalities, with 750 members representing the various political divisions: 32 from each union republic, 11âŠ
Read MoreâŠthe nominal control of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., located in Moscow. This body had two chambersâthe Soviet of the Union, with 750 members elected on a single-member constituency basis; and the Soviet of Nationalities, with 750 members representing the various political divisions: 32 from each union republic, 11âŠ
Read More
Soviet UnionPolitical restructuringSupreme 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 elected from among its members a bicameral legislature (calledâŠ
Read MoreSupreme 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 elected from among its members a bicameral legislature (calledâŠ
Read More
