Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

the continuously functioning organ of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR is elected by the membership of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR at a joint session of both chambers at the first session of each regular convocation. Members are elected from among the deputies for the full term of power of the Supreme Soviet. The Presidium consists of a president, the first vice-president, 15 vice-presidents (one from each Union republic), a secretary, and 20 members. The Presidium is accountable in all its activities to the Supreme Soviet.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR has a wide range of powers, defined by the Soviet Constitution. It convenes sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, coordinates the work of the standing commissions of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, exercises control over the observance of the Constitution of the USSR and ensures conformity of the constitutions of the Union republics with the Constitution of the USSR, and interprets the laws of the USSR. It also ratifies and revokes international treaties of the USSR and revokes decisions and orders of the Council of Ministers of the USSR and the councils of ministers of the Union republics when they do not conform to the law. It also institutes and confers military titles, diplomatic ranks, and other special titles, institutes and awards orders and medals of the USSR, and institutes and confers titles of honor of the USSR.

The Presidium admits to citizenship of the USSR, rules on questions of renunciation and deprivation of citizenship of the USSR and on questions of granting asylum, and issues all-Union acts on amnesty and exercises the right of pardon. It appoints or recalls plenipotentiary representatives of the USSR in foreign countries and at international organizations, and it receives the letters of credence and recall of diplomatic representatives of foreign states accredited to the USSR. The Presidium forms the Council of Defense of the USSR and approves its composition, appoints and removes the supreme command of the armed forces of the USSR, proclaims martial law in separate localities or throughout the country in the interests of the defense of the USSR, and orders general or partial mobilization. Between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Presidium proclaims a state of war in the event of an armed attack on the USSR or when necessary to fulfil international treaty obligations providing for mutual defense against aggression.

Between sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and subject to its endorsement at the next session, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR may introduce, where necessary, amendments in the operation legislation of the USSR, approve changes in the boundaries between Union republics, form and abolish ministries of the USSR and state committees of the USSR on the proposal of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, and release and appoint individual members of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on representation by the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. The Presidium also issues decrees and adopts decisions.

There are also presidia of supreme Soviets in Union and autonomous republics. Their functions are defined by the constitutions of the corresponding republics. [20–1532–3; updated]