Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukrainian: Президія Верховної Ради УРСР) was a permanent body of the Supreme Council (Verkhovna Rada) that was accountable to it 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 foreseen at the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR (1937) and was elected for the first time on December 27, 1938, at the first session of Verkhovna Rada. The presidium was discontinued upon the adaption of the Constitution of Ukraine on June 28, 1996.
According to the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, the presidium was elected by the Verkhovna Rada from number of people's deputies. It was elected at the first session of each following convocation for the entire term of Verkhovna Rada.
Acts of the presidium, ukases and resolutions, possess the right of legislative initiative in the Verkhovna Rada. Upon the expiration of powers of Verkhovna Rada, the Presidium retains its powers until the creation of new presidium by newly elected Verkhovna Rada. The legal status, competence, order of formation and activity of the Presidium is defined by the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR and the Verkhovna Rada procedural rules adopted by Verkhovna Rada.
After 1991 power of the presidium has narrowed. Some authority was delegated to the newly created post of the President of Ukraine, while more authority was transferred away to the Verkhovna Rada.
It was composed of a chairman and its three deputies, a secretary, and 20 other members of the presidium totaling in 25 members.
Initially in 1938 the composition consisted of a chairman and his two deputies, a secretary and 15 other members of the presidium. The changes to composition took place after adaptation of the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR (1978).
Calls for election of the Verkhovna Rada and local councils (soviets) and elections of district (city) courts
Convening sessions of the Verkhovna Rada
Coordination of the parliament's permanent commissions
Control in activities of local councils (soviets)
Monitors observance of the Constitution
Gives interpretations of republican laws
Overrides decisions and regulations of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR, decisions of regional and city councils (soviets) in case of their inconsistency with the law
Resolves issues concerning the administrative-territorial system
Establishes and changes borders of regions and its raions (districts)
decides issues on creation of raions and raions in city
transforms of urban settlements (towns) into cities
establishes the subordination of cities
provides name change of raions, cities and other populated sites
Establishes and awards honorary titles of the Ukrainian SSR
including Honorary Diploma and Diploma of the Presidium
Grants citizenship of the Ukrainian SSR
Solves issues concerning of granting asylum
issuing acts on amnesty
granting pardons to citizens convicted by courts of the Ukrainian SSR
Ratifies and denounces international treaties of the Ukrainian SSR
Appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the Ukrainian SSR in foreign countries and international organizations
Receives letters of credence and recall of accredited to it diplomatic representatives of foreign countries
If necessary, between sessions of Verkhovna Rada, provides changes to existing legislative acts of the Ukrainian SSR which are pending their approval at the next parliamentary session
Creates regions
Creates and liquidates ministries and state committees on a proposition of the Council of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR
Appoints and relieves members of government on a proposal of Chairman of the Council of Ministers
July 27, 1938 - July 28, 1939 -- Leonid Korniets
July 28, 1939 - January 15, 1954 -- Mykhailo Hrechukha
January 15, 1954 - April 7, 1969 -- Demyan Korotchenko
June 19, 1969 - June 9, 1972 -- Oleksandr Lyashko
July 28, 1972 - June 24, 1976 -- Ivan Hrushetsky
June 24, 1976 - November 22, 1984 -- Oleksiy Vatchenko
March 27, 1985 - May 15, 1990 -- Valentyna Shevchenko
June 4, 1990 - July 9, 1990 -- Volodymyr Ivashko
July 23, 1990 - December 5, 1991 -- Leonid Kravchuk
December 5, 1991 - May 11, 1994 -- Ivan Plyushch
May 11, 1994 - June 28, 1996 -- Oleksandr Moroz
Notes: After 1990, chairperson of presidium was a chairperson of Verkhovna Rada as well. Position was discontinued with the new Constitution of Ukraine where Presidium was not mentioned.
