Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian: Президія Верховної Ради УРСР), referred to between 1991 and 1996 as the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian: Президія Верховної Ради України) was the permanent body of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR that was accountable to the Supreme Soviet 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 to replace the Central Executive Committee of Ukraine 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 of the powers was delegated to the newly created post of the President of Ukraine, while more powers 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:

  • Call elections for the Supreme Soviet and local soviets and elections of district and city courts
  • Convene sessions of the Supreme Soviet
  • Coordinate the activities of the Supreme Soviet's permanent commissions
  • Exercise Control over the activities of local councils (soviets)
  • Monitor observance of the Constitution
  • Interpret republican laws
  • Override decisions and regulations of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR and of local soviets in case of their inconsistency with the law
  • Resolve issues concerning the administrative-territorial system
  • Establish and change borders of regions and their raions (districts)
  • Establish and award honorary titles of the Ukrainian SSR, including an honorary diploma and a Diploma of the Presidium
  • Grant citizenship of the Ukrainian SSR
  • Solve issues concerning of granting asylum, including issuing acts of amnesty and granting pardons to citizens convicted by courts of the Ukrainian SSR
  • Ratify and denounce international treaties of the Ukrainian SSR
  • Appoint and recall diplomatic representatives of the Ukrainian SSR in foreign countries and international organizations
  • Receive letters of credence and recall of accredited to it diplomatic representatives of foreign countries
  • If necessary, between sessions of the Supreme Soviet, Amend the laws of the Ukrainian SSR, subject to subsequent approval by the Supreme Soviet
  • Create and liquidate ministries and state committees on the proposal of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR
  • Appoint and dismiss ministers and state commissioners on the proposal of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers

List of chairmen

Chairmen of the Presidium (distinct office)

Chairmen of the Presidium (ex officio as Speakers of the Rada)

See also

Further reading
  • Bezpalyi, I. Presidium of supreme councils of union republics. Moscow 1959
  • Krivenko, L. Constitution of the USSR and development of legislation of supreme councils of union republics. Comparative legal research. Kiev 1982
  • Bandurka, O., Dreval, Yu. Parliamentarism in Ukraine: establishment and development. Kharkiv 1999
  • Ukrainian parliamentarism: past and present. Kiev 1999
  • Kyslyi, P., Vaiz, Ch. Establishment of parliamentarism in Ukraine on the background of world experience. Kiev 2000
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