Soviet of Nationalities (Совет Национальностей in Russian), was one of the two chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.
Soviet of the Nationalities was formed on the basis of equal representation of all the Soviet republics (32 deputies from each republic), autonomous republics (11 deputies from each republic), autonomous oblasts (5 deputies from each oblast), national districts (1 deputy from each district). Such combination allowed for considering the interests of all the Soviet population in dealing with the all-Union issues, tied to national peculiarities of the economy, everyday life, and culture.
Soviet of the Nationalities used to enjoy the same rights as the Soviet of the Union both in the area of legislative initiative and resolving other issues inside the competence of the Union of the SSR.
Soviet of the Nationalities used to elect a chairman (who would lead the sessions of the chamber), his 4 deputies and permanent commissions: Mandate Commission, Commission on Legislative Suppositions, Budget Planning Commission, Foreign Affairs Commisssion, Youth Affairs Commission, Industry Commission, Transportation and Communications Commission, Construction and Industry of Building Materials Commission, Agricultural Commission, Consumer Goods Commission, Public Education Commission, Science and Culture Commission, Trade Commisssion, Consumer Service and Municipal Economy Commission, Environmental Commission.
Last updated: 08-21-2005 10:59:50