View source for Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union

{{Short description|Legislative body of the Soviet Union}}
{{Infobox legislature
 | name          = Supreme Soviet of the USSR
 | native_name   = {{nobold|Верховный Совет СССР}}
 | legislature   = 
 | house_type    = Bicameral
 | logo_pic      = Badge of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union.svg
 | logo_res      = 200px
 | logo_alt      =  
 | background_color = {{party color|Communist Party of the Soviet Union}}
 | members       = 1,500 (after [[1984 Soviet Union legislative election|1984 election]])<br>542 (at [[Dissolution of parliament|dissolution]])
 | chambers      = • [[Soviet of Nationalities]]<br>• [[Soviet of the Union]]
 | established   = {{start date and age|df=y|1938}}
 | preceded_by   = [[Congress of Soviets of the Soviet Union|Congress of Soviets]]
 | disbanded     = {{start date and age|df=y|1991}}
 | succeeded_by  = {{unbulleted list
 | [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union|Congress of People's Deputies]]
 | [[CIS Interparliamentary Assembly|Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States]]
 | Several [[post-Soviet states|post-Soviet]]<br>[[Parliament|parliament]]s:
{{hidden|header=list|content=
*{{flagicon|Russia|1991}} [[Supreme Soviet of Russia]]
*{{flagicon|Belarus|1991}} [[Supreme Council of Belarus]]
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Ukraine|1992}} [[Verkhovna Rada|Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Armenia}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Armenia]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Georgia|1990}} [[Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia|Supreme Council of Georgia]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Kazakhstan|1991}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Kazakhstan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan|1991}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Kyrgyzstan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Moldova]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Tajikistan|1991}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Tajikistan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Turkmenistan|1991}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of Turkmenistan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Supreme Council of Uzbekistan]]}}
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Estonia}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Council of Estonia]]}}
*{{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Supreme Council of Latvia]]
*{{Nowrap|{{flagicon|Lithuania|1988}} [[Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas|Supreme Council of Lithuania]]}}
}}
}}
 | session_room  = KREMLIN.jpg
 | meeting_place = [[Kremlin Presidium]] <br>(Joint sessions of both houses)
 | voting_system1 = [[Direct election|Direct]] [[Elections#Sham election|show elections]] (1937–1989)<br>[[Indirect election|Elected]] by the [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union]] (1989–1991)
| house1 = [[Soviet of Nationalities]]
| house2 = [[Soviet of the Union]]
| structure1 = File:Soviet of Nationalities (1984-1989).svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 = After the 1984 election:<br />{{Color box|{{party color|Communist Party of the Soviet Union}}|border=silver}} [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (521)<br>
{{Color box|00000|border=silver}} Independents (229)
| structure2 = File:Soviet of the Union (1984-1989).svg
| structure2_res = 250px
| political_groups2 = After the 1984 election:<br />{{Color box|{{party color|Communist Party of the Soviet Union}}|border=silver}} [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (551)<br>
{{Color box|00000|border=silver}} Independents (199)
 |first_election1 = [[1937 Soviet Union legislative election|12 December 1937]]
|last_election1 = [[1984 Soviet Union legislative election|4 March 1984]] (last [[direct election]])<br>[[1989 Soviet Union legislative election|26 March 1989]] (last—and only—[[indirect election]])
}}

The '''Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics''' ({{lang-rus|Верховный Совет Союза Советских Социалистических Республик|r=Verkhovnyy Sovet Soyuza Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik}}) was, beginning in 1936, the most authoritative legislative body of the [[Soviet Union|Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (USSR), and the only one with the power to approve [[Constitution of the Soviet Union|constitutional]] amendments. Prior to 1936,<ref name=Armstrong>{{cite book |last=Armstrong |first=John Alexander |title=Ideology, Politics, and Government in the Soviet Union: An Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZH9nkBOxrZQC&q=presidium+of+the+supreme+soviet+collective+head+of+state&pg=PA165 |publisher=[[University Press of America]] |location=Lanham, MD / New York City / London |edition=fourth |year=1986 |orig-year=1978 |access-date=November 26, 2016 |isbn=0-8191-5405-9}}</ref> the [[Congress of Soviets of the Soviet Union|Congress of Soviets]] was the supreme legislative body. During 1989–1991 [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union|a similar, but not identical]] structure was the supreme legislative body. The Supreme Soviet elected the USSR's [[Head of state#Multiple or collective heads of state|collective head of state]], the [[Presidium of the Supreme Soviet|Presidium]];<ref name=Armstrong>{{cite book |last=Armstrong |first=John Alexander |title=Ideology, Politics, and Government in the Soviet Union: An Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZH9nkBOxrZQC&q=presidium+of+the+supreme+soviet+collective+head+of+state&pg=PA165 |publisher=[[University Press of America]] |location=Lanham, MD / New York City / London |edition=fourth |year=1986 |orig-year=1978 |access-date=November 26, 2016 |isbn=0-8191-5405-9}}</ref> and appointed the [[Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union|Council of Ministers]], the [[Supreme Court of the Soviet Union|Supreme Court]], and the [[Procurator General of the Soviet Union|Procurator General of the USSR]].

By the Soviet constitutions of [[Soviet Constitution of 1936|1936]] and [[Soviet Constitution of 1977|1977]], the Supreme Soviet was defined as the highest organ of state power in the Soviet Union and was imbued with great lawmaking powers. In practice, however, it was a [[Rubber stamp (politics)|pseudo]]-[[parliament]] that did little more than [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber-stamp]] decisions already made by the USSR's executive organs and the [[CPSU]] — always by unanimous consent<ref name=Armstrong>{{cite book |last=Armstrong |first=John Alexander |title=Ideology, Politics, and Government in the Soviet Union: An Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZH9nkBOxrZQC&q=presidium+of+the+supreme+soviet+collective+head+of+state&pg=PA165 |publisher=[[University Press of America]] |location=Lanham, MD / New York City / London |edition=fourth |year=1986 |orig-year=1978 |access-date=November 26, 2016 |isbn=0-8191-5405-9}}</ref> — and listen to the [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|General Secretary]]'s speeches.<ref name=Armstrong/> This was in accordance with the [[Stalinist]] CPSU's principle of [[democratic centralism]] and became the norm for other [[Legislatures in communist states|Communist legislatures]].

==Structure==
{{Soviet Union sidebar}}
The Supreme Soviet was composed of two chambers, each with equal legislative powers, with members elected for four-year terms:<ref name="GSE">[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article004390.html Верховный Совет СССР], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]</ref>

*The [[Soviet of the Union]], elected on the basis of the population with one deputy for every 300,000 people in the Soviet federation.
*The [[Soviet of Nationalities]], which represented the ethnic populations as units, with members elected on the basis of 32 deputies from each union [[Republics of the Soviet Union|republic]], 11 from each [[Autonomous republics of the Soviet Union|autonomous republic]], five from each [[Autonomous oblasts of the Soviet Union|autonomous oblast]] (region), and one from each [[Autonomous okrugs of Russia|autonomous okrug]] (district). The administrative units of the same type would send the same number of members regardless of their size or population.

The Supreme Soviet convened twice a year, usually for less than a week. For the rest of the year, the [[Presidium of the Supreme Soviet|Presidium]] performed its ordinary functions. Often, the CPSU bypassed the Supreme Soviet altogether and had major laws enacted as Presidium decrees. Nominally, if such decrees were not ratified by the Supreme Soviet at its next session, they were considered revoked. In practice, however, the principle of democratic centralism rendered the process of ratifying Presidium decrees a mere formality. In some cases, even this formality was not observed.<ref name=Armstrong/>

After 1989 it consisted of 542 deputies (divided into two 271 chambers) decreased from a previous 1,500. The meetings of the body were also more frequent, from six to eight months a year. In September 1991, after the [[August Coup]], it was reorganised into the Soviet (council) of Republics and the Soviet of The Union, which would jointly amend the [[Soviet Constitution]], admit new states, hear out the [[President of the Soviet Union]] on important home and foreign policy issues, approve the union budget, declare war and conclude peace. The Soviet of Republics would consist of 20 deputies from each union republic, plus one deputy to represent each autonomous region of each republic, delegated by the republics' legislatures. [[Russia]] was an exception with 52 deputies. The Soviet Union consisted of deputies apportioned by the existing quotas.<ref>Peter Lentini (1991) in: ''The Journal of Communist Studies'', Vol. 7, No.1, pp. 69-94</ref>

In 1989, its powers were: 
* Passing and initiating laws.
* Submitting questions to the [[President of the Soviet Union]], the [[Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union]], scheduling elections of deputies. 
* Convening the [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union|Congress of People's Deputies]].
* Appointing the [[Chairman of the Council of Ministers]] on the submission of the president.
* Ratifying the composition of the Council of Ministers and changes in it on the submission on the Chairman. 
* Forming and disbanding ministries and state committees on the Council of Ministers proposal.
* Overriding a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority. 
* Ratifying presidential declarations of war.
* Impeaching the President.
* Hearing reports by organs of appointed officials.
* Implementing laws regulating property, management of the economy, social and cultural issues, budget and finance, salaries, prices, taxes, environmental protection, natural resource, and civil rights, 
* Laying down the principals of local and republic state power and the legal status of social organisations, 
* Submitting for ratification (and ratifying and amending) by the congress long-term national and social and economic development plans, the national budget, monitoring implantation of the state plan and budget, and ratifying reports on their performance.
* Ratifying international treaties.
* Overseeing the granting of foreign aid and negotiating foreign loans.
* Determining basic measures for national security, including declarations of war, mobilizing troops, and meeting international treaty obligations.

Acts by the Supreme Soviet entered into force after signature by the President and publication.

Between 1938 and February 1990, more than 50 years, only 80 laws were passed by the Supreme Soviet, less than 1% of total legislative acts.<ref>«Avante!», newspaper of [[Portuguese Communist Party]], February 22, 1990, section «Em Foco», page IX</ref>

==Leaders==
===Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet (1938–1989)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br>{{small|(Born-Died)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Калинин М. И. (1920).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Mikhail Kalinin]]
| born_year         = 1875
| died_year         = 1946
| term_start        = 17 January 1938
| term_end          = 19 March 1946
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1938|01|17|1946|03|19}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Николай Михайлович Шверник.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Nikolai Shvernik]]
| born_year         = 1888
| died_year         = 1970
| term_start        = 19 March 1946
| term_end          = 15 March 1953
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1946|03|19|1953|03|15}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = Kliment Voroshilov.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Kliment Voroshilov]]
| born_year         = 1881
| died_year         = 1969
| term_start        = 15 March 1953
| term_end          = 7 May 1960
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1953|03|15|1960|05|07}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = Staatshoofden, portretten, Bestanddeelnr 925-6564.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Leonid Brezhnev]]
| born_year         = 1906
| died_year         = 1982
| term_start        = 7 May 1960
| term_end          = 15 July 1964
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1960|05|07|1964|07|15}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = Анастас Иванович Микоян.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Anastas Mikoyan]]
| born_year         = 1895
| died_year         = 1978
| term_start        = 15 July 1964
| term_end          = 9 December 1965
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1964|07|15|1965|12|09}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = Podgorny1963.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Nikolai Podgorny]]
| born_year         = 1903
| died_year         = 1983
| term_start        = 9 December 1965
| term_end          = 16 June 1977
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1965|12|09|1977|06|16}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = (4)
| image             = Staatshoofden, portretten, Bestanddeelnr 925-6564.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Leonid Brezhnev]]
| born_year         = 1906
| died_year         = 1982
| died              = y
| term_start        = 16 June 1977
| term_end          = 10 November 1982
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1977|06|16|1982|11|10}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = –
| image             = Vasily Kuznetsov (diplomat).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Vasili Kuznetsov (politician)|Vasili Kuznetsov]]
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1990
| acting            = y
| term_start        = 10 November 1982
| term_end          = 16 June 1983
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1982|11|10|1983|06|16}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = Yuri Andropov - Soviet Life, August 1983.jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Yuri Andropov]]
| born_year         = 1914
| died_year         = 1984
| died              = y
| term_start        = 16 June 1983
| term_end          = 9 February 1984
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1983|06|16|1984|02|09}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = –
| image             = Vasily Kuznetsov (diplomat).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Vasili Kuznetsov (politician)|Vasili Kuznetsov]]
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1990
| acting            = y
| term_start        = 9 February 1984
| term_end          = 11 April 1984
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1984|02|09|1984|04|11}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             =|bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Konstantin Chernenko]]
| born_year         = 1911
| died_year         = 1985
| died              = y
| term_start        = 11 April 1984
| term_end          = 10 March 1985
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1984|04|11|1985|03|10}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = –
| image             = Vasily Kuznetsov (diplomat).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Vasili Kuznetsov (politician)|Vasili Kuznetsov]]
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1990
| acting            = y
| term_start        = 10 March 1985
| term_end          = 27 July 1985
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1985|03|10|1985|07|27}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = Andrei Gromyko 1972 (cropped).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Andrei Gromyko]]
| born_year         = 1909
| died_year         = 1989
| term_start        = 27 July 1985
| term_end          = 1 October 1988
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1985|07|27|1988|10|01}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = Gorbachev (cropped).png |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]
| born_year         = 1931
| died_year         = 2022
| term_start        = 1 October 1988
| term_end          = 25 May 1989
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1988|10|01|1989|05|25}}
}}
|}

===Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet (1989–1991)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan=2| Portrait
! rowspan=2| Name<br>{{small|(Born-Died)}}
! colspan=3| Term of office
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Gorbachev (cropped).png |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Mikhail Gorbachev]]
| born_year         = 1931
| died_year         = 2022
| term_start        = 25 May 1989
| term_end          = 15 March 1990
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1989|05|25|1990|03|15}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = Анатолий Лукьянов (депутат) (cropped).jpg |bSize = 60
| officeholder      = [[Anatoly Lukyanov]]
| born_year         = 1930
| died_year         = 2019
| term_start        = 15 March 1990
| term_end          = 4 September 1991
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1990|03|15|1991|08|22}}
}}
|}

==Convocations==
* 1st convocation session 1938–1946, [[World War II]]
* 2nd convocation session 1946–1950
* 3rd convocation session 1950–1954
* 4th convocation session 1954–1958
* 5th convocation session 1958–1962
* 6th convocation session 1962–1966
* 7th convocation session 1966–1970
* 8th convocation session 1970–1974
* 9th convocation session 1974–1979
* 10th convocation session 1979–1984
* 11th convocation session 1984–1989
* 1st convocation 1989–1991<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160204085149/http://vs.sssr.su/ Supreme Council of the Soviet Union]. "[http://sssr.su/ Portal SSSR]".</ref> (unofficially 12th convocation), sessions were conducted in the form of [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union]]
* New composition 1991,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160204084725/http://vs.sssr.su/13/ Supreme Council of the Soviet Union new composition]. "[http://sssr.su/ Portal SSSR]".</ref> (unofficially 13th convocation) unlike previous convocations, there were no elections for the new composition of the Supreme Council instead members of the council were delegated from the council of union republics that continued to be members of the Soviet Union.

==Supreme Soviets of union and autonomous republics==
Beside the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, each of its constituting union republics and each autonomous republic had a supreme soviet. These supreme soviets also had presidiums, but all consisted of only one chamber. After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], some soviets of the succeeded independent republics simply changed their name to their more historic name or to emphasise their importance as a national parliament, while others changed to double-chamber assemblies.

===Supreme soviets of union republics===
{{main|Supreme Soviet}}
{{legend2|#FFB6B6|Soviet Republics dissolved before the dissolution of the Soviet Union |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#C0C0C0|Parliaments [[Occupation of the Baltic States|not formally recognized]] by some countries such as the [[Western Bloc]] |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
!class="unsortable"|
!Soviet Republic
!Supreme Soviet
!Established
!Disbanded
!Succeeded by
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Russian_SFSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flag|Russian SFSR}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of Russia|Supreme Soviet of the Russian SFSR]]

Верховный Совет РСФСР
|1938
|1993
|{{flagicon|Russia|1991}} [[Constitutional Conference of Russia|Constitutional Conference]] (1993)<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Federal Assembly of Russia|Federal Assembly]] (1993-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Ukrainian_SSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flag|Ukrainian SSR|name=Ukraine}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR]]
Верховный Совет Украинской ССР <br> Верховна Рада Української РСР
|1937
|1996<!--Date of adoption of the modern Constitution of Ukraine. The legislature retained the name "Verkhovna Rada", which means "Supreme Council/Soviet" in Ukrainian-->
|{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Verkhovna Rada]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Byelorussian_SSR_(1981-1991).svg|52x52px]]
|{{flag|Byelorussian SSR|name=Byelorussia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR]]

Верховный Совет Белорусской ССР <br> Вярхоўны Савет Беларускай ССР
|1938
|1994<!--Date of adoption of the modern Constitution of Belarus. The legislature retained the name "Viarchoŭny Saviet" which means "Supreme Council/Soviet" in Belarusian-->
|{{flagicon|Belarus|1991}} [[Supreme Council of Belarus|Supreme Council]] (1994-96)<br>{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[National Assembly of Belarus|National Assembly]] (1996-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Uzbek_SSR.svg|55x55px]]
|{{flag|Uzbek SSR|name=Uzbekistan}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek SSR]]
Верховный Совет Узбекской ССР <br> Ўзбекистон ССР Олий Совети

|1938
|1992<!--Date of adoption of the modern Constitution of Uzbekistan. The legislature retained the name "Supreme Council", albeit with the Uzbek term for Council instead of loaning the Russian "Soviet"-->
|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Supreme Council of Uzbekistan|Supreme Council]] (1992-1995)<br>{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Oliy Majlis]] (1995-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_Kazakh_SSR.svg|57x57px]]
|{{flag|Kazakh SSR|name=Kazakhstan}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR]]
Верховный Совет Казахской ССР <br> Қазақ ССР Жоғарғы Советі
|1937
|1993<!--Date of adoption of the modern Constitution of Kazakhstan. The legislature retained the name "Supreme Council", albeit with the Kazakh term for Council instead of loaning the Russian "Soviet"-->
|{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Supreme Council of Kazakhstan|Supreme Council]] (1993-95)<br>{{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Parliament of Kazakhstan|Parliament]] (1996-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Georgian_SSR.svg|50x50px]]
|{{flag|Georgian SSR|name=Georgia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR]]

Верховный Совет Грузинской ССР <br> საქართველოს სსრ უმაღლესი საბჭო
|1938
|1992<!--Date on which the 1921 constitution of the Democratic Reoublic of Georgia was restored following a military coup. Until that point, the 1978 constitution of the Georgian SSR was still in force.-->
|{{flagicon|Georgia|1990}} [[State Council of the Republic of Georgia|State Council]] (1992-1995)<br>{{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Parliament of Georgia|Parliament]] (1995-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Azerbaijan_SSR.svg|57x57px]]
|{{flag|Azerbaijan SSR|name=Azerbaijan}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR]]

Верховный Совет Азербайджа́нской ССР <br> Азәрбаjҹан ССР Али Совети
|1938
|1995
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[National Assembly (Azerbaijan)|National Assembly]]
|-bgcolor=#C0C0C0
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Lithuanian_SSR.svg|58x58px]]
|{{flag|Lithuanian SSR|name=Lithuania}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian SSR]]
Верховный Совет Литовской ССР <br> Lietuvos TSR Aukščiausioji Taryba
|1940
|1990
|{{flagicon|Lithuania|1988}} [[Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas|Supreme Council]] (1990-1992)<br>{{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[Seimas]] (1992-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Moldavian_SSR_(1981-1990).svg|54x54px]]
|{{flag|Moldavian SSR|name=Moldavia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR]]
Верховный Совет Молдавской ССР <br> Совиетул Супрем ал РСС Молдовеняскэ (Moldovan) <br> Sovietul Suprem al RSS Moldovenească (Romanian)
|1941
|1993
|{{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Parliament of Moldova|Parliament]]
|-bgcolor=#C0C0C0
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Latvian_SSR.svg|53x53px]]
|{{flag|Latvian SSR|name=Latvia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR]]
Верховный Совет Латвийской ССР <br> Latvijas PSR Augstākā Padome
|1940
|1990
|{{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Supreme Council of Latvia|Supreme Council]] (1990-1993)<br>{{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Saeima]] (1993-present)
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Kirghiz_SSR.svg|59x59px]]
|{{flag|Kirghiz SSR|name=Kirghizia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Kirghiz SSR]]
Верховный Совет Киргизской ССР <br> Кыргыз ССР Жогорку Совети
|1938
|1994
|{{flagicon|Kyrgyzstan}} [[Supreme Council (Kyrgyzstan)|Supreme Council]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Tajik_SSR.svg|53x53px]]
|{{flag|Tajik SSR|name=Tajikistan}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR]]
Верховный Совет Таджикской ССР <br> Совети Олӣ РСС Тоҷикистон
|1937
|1994
|{{flagicon|Tajikistan}} [[Supreme Assembly (Tajikistan)|Supreme Assembly]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Armenian_SSR.svg|50x50px]]
|{{flag|Armenian SSR|name=Armenia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR]]

Верховный Совет Армянской ССР <br> Հայկական ՍՍՀ Գերագույն Խորհուրդ
|1938
|1995
|{{flagicon|Armenia}} [[National Assembly (Armenia)|National Assembly]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Turkmen_SSR.svg|54x54px]]
|{{flag|Turkmen SSR|name=Turkmenia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Turkmen SSR]]
Верховный Совет Туркменской ССР <br> Түркменистан ССР Ёкары Советы
|1938
|1992
|{{flagicon|Turkmenistan|1992}} [[Assembly of Turkmenistan|Assembly]] (1992-2021)<br>{{flagicon|Turkmenistan}} [[National Council of Turkmenistan|National Council]] (2021-present)
|-bgcolor=#C0C0C0
|[[File:Emblem_of_the_Estonian_SSR.svg|55x55px]]
|{{flag|Estonian SSR|name=Estonia}}
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR]]
Верховный Совет Эстонской ССР <br> Eesti NSV Ülemnõukogu
|1940
|1991
|{{flagicon|Estonia}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Council]] (1990–92)<br>{{flagicon|Estonia}} [[Riigikogu]] (1992–present)
|-
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| [[File:Emblem_of_the_Karelo-Finnish_SSR.svg|59x59px]]
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| {{flag|Karelo-Finnish SSR}}
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| [[Supreme Soviet of the Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Karelo-Finnish SSR]]
Верховный Совет Карело-Финской ССР
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| 1940
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| 1956
|bgcolor=#FFB6B6| {{flagicon|Karelia|1978}} [[Supreme Soviet of the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Карельской АССР|(ru)]]
|}

===Supreme councils of autonomous republic===
List of known autonomous republics councils:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!class="unsortable"|
!Autonomous Republic
!Supreme Soviet
!Established
!Disbanded
!Succeeded by
|-
|[[File:Coat of arms of Bashkir ASSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Bashkortostan|1954}} [[Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Bashkiria]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Bashkir ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Башкирской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Башкирской АССР <br> Башҡорт АССР-ы Юғары Советы
|1938
|1995
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Bashkortostan|1992}} [[State Assembly of the Republic of Bashkortostan|State Assembly]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of arms of the Buryat ASSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Buryatia|1978}} [[Buryat Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Buryatia]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Buryat Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Buryat ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Бурятской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Бурятской АССР <br> Буряадай АССР-эй Верховно Совет
|1938
|1994
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Buryatia}} [[People's Khural of the Republic of Buryatia|People's Khural]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of arms of Karelian ASSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Karelia|1978}} [[Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karelia]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Karelian ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Карельской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Карельской АССР
|1938<br>1956
|1940<br>1994
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Karelia}} [[Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia|Legislative Assembly]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of Arms of Tatarstan ASSR.png|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Tatarstan|1978}} [[Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Tatarstan]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Tatar ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Татарской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Татарской АССР <br> Татарстан АССР Югары Советы
|1938
|1995
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Tatarstan}} [[State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan|State Council]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of arms of the Tuvan ASSR (1978-1992).svg|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Tuva|1978}} [[Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Tuva]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Tuvan ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный Совет Тувинской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Тувинской АССР <br> Тыва АССР-ниң Дээди Соведи
|1961
|1993
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Tuva|1992}} [[Great Khural of Tuva|Great Khural]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of Arms of Chuvash ASSR.svg|56x56px]]
|{{flagdeco|Chuvashia|1978}} [[Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Chuvashia]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Chuvash ASSR]] [[:ru:Верховный совет Чувашской АССР|(ru)]]

Верховный Совет Чувашской АССР <br> Чӑваш АССР Верховнӑй Совечӗ
|1938
|1994
|{{flagicon|Russia}}{{flagicon|Chuvashia}} [[State Council of the Chuvash Republic|State Council]]
|-
|[[File:QoraqalpogistonASSRgerbi.png|55x55px]]
|{{flagdeco|Karakalpakstan|1952}} [[Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karakalpakstan]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Karakalpak ASSR]]

Верховный Совет Каракалпакской АССР <br> Қарақалпақстан АССР Жоқарғы Совети
|1938
|1994
|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}}{{flagicon|Karakalpakstan}} [[Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan|Supreme Council]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem of the Abkhaz ASSR (1978–1992).svg|50x50px]]
|{{flagdeco|Abkhazia|ASSR}} [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Abkhazia]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Abkhaz ASSR]]

Верховный Совет Абхазской АССР <br> Аҧснытәи АССР Иреиҳаӡоу Асовет
|1938
|1996
|{{flagicon|Abkhazia}} [[People's Assembly of Abkhazia|People's Assembly]]
|-
|[[File:Emblem of the Adjar ASSR.svg|50x50px]]
|{{flagdeco|Adjara|ASSR}} [[Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Adjara]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Adjarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Adjarian ASSR]]

Верховный Совет Аджарской АССР <br> აჭარის ასსრ უმაღლესი საბჭო
|1938
|1991
|{{flagicon|Georgia|1990}}{{flagicon|Adjara|2000}} [[Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara|Supreme Council]]
|-
|[[File:Coat of Arms of Nakhichevan ASSR.png|57x57px]]
|{{flagdeco|Nakhchivan|1952}} [[Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Nakhichevan]]
|[[Supreme Soviet of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Supreme Soviet of the Nakhichevan ASSR]]

Верховный Совет Нахичеванской АССР <br> Нахчыван МССР Али Совети
|1938
|1990
|{{flagicon|Azerbaijan|1918}} [[Supreme Assembly (Nakhchivan)]]
|}

==See also==
* [[All-Russian Central Executive Committee]]
* [[Supreme Soviet of Russia]]
* [[Federal Assembly of Russia]]
* [[National People's Congress]] – Chinese equivalent
* [[Supreme People's Assembly]] – North Korean equivalent
* [[National Assembly of People's Power]] – Cuban equivalent
* [[National Assembly (Laos)]] – Laotian equivalent
* [[National Assembly (Vietnam)]] – Vietnamese equivalent
* [[Volkskammer]] – East German equivalent
* [[Federal Assembly (Czechoslovakia)|Federal Assembly]] – Czechoslovak equivalent

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{section link|Bibliography of Stalinism and the Soviet Union|Government}}
* {{section link|Bibliography of the Post Stalinist Soviet Union|Government}}

==External links==
*[http://www.ras.ru/FStorage/download.aspx?Id=2e159b8a-d79c-4929-8f5d-648db480cf47 Electoral law of 1937]

{{Soviet Union topics}}
{{National bicameral legislatures}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union| ]]
[[Category:Government of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Defunct bicameral legislatures]]
[[Category:1938 establishments in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:1991 disestablishments in the Soviet Union]]