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What year was the constitution of the ussr. Three eras and three constitutions of the USSR

The idea of updating the Constitution of 1936, adopted under Stalin, appeared in the minds of the country's leadership already in the mid-1950s, when the XX Congress of the CPSU was held, at which the First Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Nikita Khrushchev publicly condemned Stalin's "personality cult", calling for the restoration of violations of the socialist democracies that were allowed under him. Lawyers from the apparatus of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR began to prepare materials on how to change the Constitution, and the first package of amendments was presented in the summer of 1958. Even the Chairman of the Presidium, and earlier a well-known person from Stalin's "inner circle", said that it was necessary to go through the text of the Constitution and revise it.

It was proposed to consolidate the leading and guiding role of the party in the country's fundamental law, to define the Soviets as the highest bodies of state power (and not legislative, as before), to write down freedom of criticism and self-criticism, to give the collective farms the right to nominate candidates for deputies of the Soviets. A year later, at a meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU, he mentioned that it was necessary to think over the issue of changing the leadership - two terms and no more, for example, as was the case with the President of the United States. He was concerned about the problem of renewing the ranks of party and government officials. In 1959, at the party congress, they decided to amend the Constitution, and in 1961, also at the congress, to adopt a new one.

Source: wikipedia.org

In 1962, a working group was created under the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Constitutional Commission under the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - the constitutional draft began to be developed faster and faster. In the course of work on the project, a variety of, sometimes radical ideas were expressed: to introduce an element of self-government in the system of government - people's assemblies from labor collectives or assemblies of citizens at the place of residence, to hold alternative elections, that is, to nominate several candidates for deputies of the Soviets, and even to nominate candidates outside whether they are party members or not! In management, maximum decentralization was proposed, the transfer of power to localities. What has not been done: the epic with the sowing of corn in all corners of the country, the division of regional Soviets and party committees into industrial and rural ... The constitution was proposed to be adopted by a referendum, that is, by popular vote. In the fall of 1964, the project was ready, but ... Nikita Sergeevich Khrushchev was removed from all posts at the Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee.

Source: wikipedia.org

Leonid Brezhnev, who came to power, was in no hurry with the Constitution, because he needed to strengthen his position in the political arena and carry out reforms, including those that revised Khrushchev’s sometimes too radical and dangerous “experiments” in management and economy. Nevertheless, the idea of improving the work of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - the highest authority in the country - still continued to be discussed and put into practice. They returned to the draft Constitution in full in the summer of 1968. They took as a basis the draft of the "Khrushchev" times, that is, 1964, correcting in it, by and large, only ideological provisions. If Khrushchev spoke about the “full-scale construction of communism” and, as you know, planned to “build” it by 1980, then Brezhnev and his associates had to revise this provision due to the emerging problems in the economy, so they began to talk about the gradual, slow emergence of conditions building communism - about "developed socialism".

This was reflected in the draft Constitution of 1968. On the whole, it remained fairly democratic in many of its provisions. But the "" came, and the course taken by the socialists of Czechoslovakia, headed by Alexander Dubcek, was not welcomed by either Moscow or other members of the Warsaw Treaty Organization - they decided to send tanks to Prague.

In 1969, a new turn in the history of the creation of the Constitution begins - a conservative one. Under the influence of the Prague Spring, the party leadership abandoned the task of creating a new project and decided to confine itself to amendments to the current Constitution. The amendments were minor, often they were textual additions, other wordings of the old provisions. But by the end of the year, the project remained a project - it did not suit everyone, for example, a note from Brezhnev's assistant Viktor Golikov, who criticized the concept of "developed socialism" to the nines, believing that by doing so the country's leadership declares that that in 1936 the victory of socialism was announced, but it was, so to speak, "underdeveloped" socialism! The issue of adopting amendments to the Constitution was removed. They raised it again in 1972, but again did not agree - apparently, there were contradictions in the very text of the proposed project, and revision was required.

In 1973, the Politburo of the Central Committee of the CPSU finally made a decision on the need to create a draft of a new Constitution of the USSR. The lawyers of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, both themselves and thanks to the letters of ordinary citizens and scientific and educational institutions, draw up a preliminary draft. For the next three or four years, it is gradually being finalized, discussions are underway on individual articles. The constitutional rights, freedoms and duties of citizens become a subject of interest as the USSR signs with the European countries the Final Act of the CSCE in Helsinki in 1975 containing a list of them.

Pravda announces the adoption of a new Constitution. (wikipedia.org)

And, finally, in March 1977, Brezhnev told the head of the working group on the draft Constitution under the Central Committee of the CPSU Boris Ponomarev (the third in this post after Leonid Ilyichev and Alexander Yakovlev) that it was necessary to “end the tyagomotina” (as he conveyed his words in his memoirs political journalist Alexander Bovin) and adopt the Constitution. The project was finalized, in May the Plenum of the Central Committee of the CPSU approved it, the document was submitted for public discussion, distributed and published in newspapers. Citizens actively wrote letters and spoke at meetings on this issue.

Leonid Brezhnev, as his recently published diaries showed, worked in the spring and summer on the text of the constitution. The opinions of ordinary people were partly taken into account when the Secretariat of the Constitutional Commission in September 1977 made a summary of the proposals. Changes were made to a hundred articles and even a new one was added - the 102nd - on the obligation for the deputies of the Soviets to fulfill the orders of the voters who elected them. In October, a session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR was held, which adopted a constitution.

Poster. (wikipedia.org)

The history of the adoption of the last basic law of the Soviet Union turned out to be such a difficult one. She was accepted for twenty years, although her life turned out to be much shorter - only 14 years. This happened in the "perestroika" at. However, that's another story.

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

CONSTITUTION

(THE BASIC LAW)

(as amended and supplemented by the Laws of the USSR

dated 06/24/1981 - Gazette of the USSR Armed Forces, 1981, N 26, art. 838;

dated 12/01/1988 - Gazette of the USSR Armed Forces, 1988, N 49, art. 727;

dated 12/20/1989 - Gazette of the SND and the USSR Armed Forces, 1989, N 28, art. 538;

dated 12/20/1989 - Gazette of the SND and the USSR Armed Forces, 1989, N 28, art. 540;

dated 12/23/1989 - Gazette of the SND and the USSR Armed Forces, 1989, N 29, art. 574;

dated 03/14/1990 - Gazette of the SND and the USSR Armed Forces, 1990, N 12, art. 189)

The Great October Socialist Revolution, carried out by the workers and peasants of Russia under the leadership of the Communist Party, headed by V.I. Lenin, overthrew the power of the capitalists and landlords, broke the shackles of oppression, established the dictatorship of the proletariat and created the Soviet state - a state of a new type, the main instrument for defending revolutionary gains, building socialism and communism. The world-historical turn of mankind from capitalism to socialism began.

Having won the civil war and repulsed the imperialist intervention, the Soviet government carried out the most profound social and economic transformations, forever put an end to the exploitation of man by man, to class antagonisms and national enmity. The unification of the Soviet republics into the USSR multiplied the forces and possibilities of the peoples of the country in building socialism. Social ownership of the means of production and genuine democracy for the working masses have been established. For the first time in the history of mankind, a socialist society was created.

A vivid manifestation of the strength of socialism was the unfading feat of the Soviet people, their Armed Forces, who won a historic victory in the Great Patriotic War. This victory strengthened the prestige and international positions of the USSR and opened up new favorable opportunities for the growth of the forces of socialism, national liberation, democracy and world peace.

Continuing their creative activity, the working people of the Soviet Union ensured the rapid and all-round development of the country and the improvement of the socialist system. The alliance of the working class, the collective-farm peasantry and the people's intelligentsia, and the friendship of the nations and peoples of the USSR, have become stronger. A socio-political and ideological unity of Soviet society has taken shape, the leading force of which is the working class. Having fulfilled the tasks of the dictatorship of the proletariat, the Soviet state became a state of the whole people.

A developed socialist society has been built in the USSR. At this stage, when socialism is developing on its own basis, the creative forces of the new system and the advantages of the socialist way of life are more fully revealed, and the working people are increasingly enjoying the fruits of the great revolutionary achievements.

This is a society of mature socialist social relations, in which, on the basis of the rapprochement of all classes and social strata, the legal and actual equality of all nations and nationalities, and their fraternal cooperation, a new historical community of people has taken shape - the Soviet people.

This is a society of genuine democracy, the political system of which ensures the effective management of all public affairs, the ever more active participation of working people in public life, the combination of real rights and freedoms of citizens with their duties and responsibilities to society.

A developed socialist society is a natural stage on the road to communism.

The supreme goal of the Soviet state is the building of a classless communist society in which public communist self-government will be developed. The main tasks of a socialist state of the whole people are: the creation of the material and technical base of communism, the improvement of socialist social relations and their transformation into communist ones, the education of a person in communist society, the improvement of the material and cultural standard of living of the working people, the security of the country, and the promotion of peace and the development of international cooperation.

Adoption of the first Constitution of the USSR - 1924

Adoption of the second ("Stalinist") Constitution of the USSR - 1936

Adoption of the third ("Brezhnev") Constitution of the USSR - 1977

Constitution of the USSR 1924

It was approved by the 2nd Congress of Soviets of the USSR and became the basic law in the USSR. The decision of the Congress to develop an all-Union document formed the basis for the creation of the Constitution of the USSR.

The Constitution of the USSR included 2 sections:

Declaration on the formation of the USSR - included the principles of unification and directed towards one of the main goals at that time - the struggle against world capitalism;
Treaty on the formation of the USSR, consisting of 11 chapters.

The main features of the Constitution of 1924:

The Congress of Soviets of the USSR was considered the main governing body, without whose knowledge it was impossible to make any changes to the document;
the union republic had the right to withdraw from the USSR at any time, but to change the territory only with its approval; single union citizenship was established;
The Central Executive Committee of the USSR was considered the supreme body of power in the intervals between congresses, and in the intervals between sessions of the Central Executive Committee, the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR was the main body of legislative power;
The Central Executive Committee of the USSR established the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR, which is the main executive and administrative body, which included the chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, his deputies and 10 people's commissars.

Thanks to the Constitution, the union republics became part of the federal union during the formation of the USSR.

Constitution of the USSR 1936

Also known as the "Stalinist" and "Constitution of developed socialism." It was adopted by the 8th Extraordinary Congress of the Soviet of the USSR on December 5. Its task was to express an important stage in the history of the state - the construction of socialism.

Historian O.V. Khlevnyuk said that this Constitution, in comparison with the Constitution of the USSR of 1924, is more democratic in nature, since it wants to achieve sympathy for the Soviet Union from the international community in order to jointly fight against growing fascism.

Bukharin also took an active part in creating the text of the Constitution. It was officially published on December 6th.

The 1936 constitution consisted of 13 chapters and 146 articles. The social structure of the USSR was approved in 12 articles of the 1st chapter. Consider the content of the Constitution:

the basis of the economy is the planned socialist economic system and socialist ownership of tools and means of production;
all citizens of the Soviet state for the first time had equal rights:
- universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot;
- the right to work and rest, material security in old age and illness, the right to free education;
freedom of speech, conscience, press, meetings and meetings, inviolability of the person and secrecy of correspondence were declared;
means of communication, transport, land, water and much more were declared public property; the land occupied by collective farms was given to them for perpetual use;
the Bolshevik Party was declared the main representative of all public and state organizations;
The Supreme Soviet of the USSR was proclaimed the highest legislative body of power; in between sessions, these functions were performed by its Presidium;
The Council of People's Commissars of the USSR (later the Council of Ministers) was considered the highest executive body.

On February 27, 1947, a new version of the Constitution was approved with the amendments. In 1962, according to the decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, a commission headed by was founded, which was involved in the creation of a draft of a new Constitution of the USSR. At the end of 1964, he headed this commission.

On October 7, 1977, a new ("Brezhnev") Constitution of the USSR was adopted. December 5 was declared Constitution Day - an official public holiday.

USSR Constitution 1977

Effective from October 7, 1977 until (1991), becoming the last Constitution of the Soviet Union. At the time of adoption, it included 9 sections, 21 chapters and 174 articles. Consider the summary of the Constitution:

the introductory part - contained a description of Soviet society, retained the principles of previous constitutions. Its text was much longer than the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 1993;
political system - this section included the general principles of the socialist system and the basis of a developed socialist society;
the economic system - its basis was the state and collective-farm-cooperative socialist ownership of production means, the principle of a planned economy was in effect;
authorities - the term of government for the supreme and local Soviets has increased, from the previously adopted Constitution of the USSR, citizens retained the right to a referendum;
state structure - without significant changes. The republics of the Union retained the right to secede from the USSR at any time, which they used during the collapse of the USSR.

During the period of this Constitution of the USSR, various changes were made to it, the most significant of which was the abolition of the 6th article. The one-party system was abolished, the CPSU was removed from its leadership position, and the post of President of the USSR was introduced.

During its existence, he lived according to three basic laws. The constitutions of the USSR were adopted in 1924, 1936 and 1977. The changes in the basic law had their own logic.

The peculiarity of the USSR Constitution of 1924 was that it did not proclaim the equality of all citizens, as happened after some European revolutions, but, on the contrary, limited the rights of representatives of all classes of society, except for the worker. In addition, in some of its provisions it had a foreign policy orientation, in particular, the goal of the created proletarian state was declared to be a world revolution, naturally accompanied by a merciless suppression of all exploiters. The result of this process, according to the intention of the authors, was to become the World Socialist Republic.

Instead of the territorial division characteristic of the Russian Empire, the new fundamental law assumed a national policy, according to which each of the nations inhabiting the USSR received its own land and the right to self-determination. There were four republics in total: the Transcaucasian Federation (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), the Byelorussian SSR, the Ukrainian SSR and the RSFSR. I.V. was considered an expert on national relations in the Leninist Politburo. Stalin, he was instructed to develop this line.

The Constitution legislated the creation of the world's first state of the proletarian dictatorship.

The question of the possibility of building socialism in one country has long been the subject of the most fierce discussions between party groups. In the mid-thirties, it became clear even to skeptics that the new state existed, despite the hostile capitalist environment, and then a streamlined formulation appeared that socialism had been built “in the main”, but it was too early to talk about its final victory. Moreover, it turned out that the role of the state is not decreasing, but quite the opposite, it is growing. In 1935, at the February plenum of the CPSU (b), a decision was formulated on the need to update the Constitution of the USSR. The commission included Radek, Litvinov, Bukharin and other old party members, and Stalin headed it.

The Eighth All-Union Congress of Soviets adopted this document on December 5 of the following year. It was simply impossible not to accept it, it was so beautifully composed. To assess the legal impeccability of the act, it is enough to mention that the text adopted in 1948 included entire chapters of the Stalinist constitution. All freedoms imaginable were proclaimed. All citizens are equal. Although the goals of the Soviet state remained the same, and no one canceled the desire for a world revolution. In the new Constitution of the USSR, this was mentioned as if in passing, as about the possibility of accepting new republics, of which there were already eleven in the first edition.

The text of the basic law stated the fact that the exploiting classes were liquidated, outlawed, but the right to personal property was guaranteed.

An important section of the Constitution was the one that determined the procedure for making changes. Such an opportunity turned out to be useful, until 1947 it underwent seven amendments and one new edition.

In 1977, after making another three and a half dozen changes, a new basic law was adopted. The existence of the world socialist system made it possible to speak of the "final victory" of the new social formation. In general, the text of the document was similar to the previous legislative act, only there were even more rights and freedoms. The Constitution Day of the USSR began to be celebrated on October 7, and not on December 5, Soviet citizens did not feel any other changes.

Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(adopted at the extraordinary seventh session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of the ninth convocation on October 7, 1977)

With changes and additions from:

The Great October Socialist Revolution, carried out by the workers and peasants of Russia under the leadership of the Communist Party led by V.I. Lenin, overthrew the power of the capitalists and landowners, broke the fetters of oppression, established the dictatorship of the proletariat and created the Soviet state - a state of a new type, the main instrument for defending revolutionary gains building socialism and communism. The world-historical turn of mankind from capitalism to socialism began.

This is a society in which powerful productive forces, advanced science and culture have been created, in which the well-being of the people is constantly growing, more and more favorable conditions are emerging for the all-round development of the individual.

This is a society of high organization, ideology and consciousness of working people - patriots and internationalists.

This is a society whose law of life is the concern of all for the welfare of each and the concern of each for the welfare of all.

A developed socialist society is a natural stage on the road to communism.

Soviet people,

guided by the ideas of scientific communism and faithful to their revolutionary traditions,

relying on the great socio-economic and political achievements of socialism,

striving for the further development of socialist democracy,

considering the international position of the USSR as an integral part of the world system of socialism and conscious of its international responsibility,

preserving the continuity of ideas and principles of the first Soviet Constitution of 1918, the Constitution of the USSR of 1924 and the Constitution of the USSR of 1936,

fixes the foundations of the social system and policy of the USSR, establishes the rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, the principles of organization and goals of the socialist state of the whole people, and proclaims them in the present Constitution.

I. Fundamentals of the social system and policy of the USSR

Chapter 1. Political system

Article 1. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a socialist state of the whole people, expressing the will and interests of the workers, peasants and intelligentsia, the working people of all nations and nationalities of the country.

Article 2. All power in the USSR belongs to the people.

The people exercise state power through the Soviets of People's Deputies, which constitute the political foundation of the USSR.

All other state bodies are controlled and accountable to the Councils of People's Deputies.

Article 3. The organization and activities of the Soviet state are built in accordance with the principle of democratic centralism: the election of all bodies of state power from top to bottom, accountability to their people, and binding decisions of higher bodies for lower ones. Democratic centralism combines unified leadership with initiative and creative activity in the localities, with the responsibility of each state body and official for the assigned work.

Article 4. The Soviet state, all its organs operate on the basis of socialist legality, ensure the protection of law and order, the interests of society, and the rights and freedoms of citizens.

State and public organizations and officials are obliged to observe the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws.

Article 5. The most important issues of state life are submitted for public discussion, as well as put to a nationwide vote (referendum).

Article 6 affairs.

Article 7. All political parties, public organizations and mass movements, performing the functions provided for by their programs and statutes, operate within the framework of the Constitution and Soviet laws.

The creation and activities of parties, organizations and movements aimed at forcibly changing the Soviet constitutional system and the integrity of the socialist state, undermining its security, and inciting social, national and religious hatred are not allowed.

Article 8 production, as well as for social and cultural events and material incentives.

Labor collectives develop socialist emulation, promote the dissemination of advanced methods of work, strengthen labor discipline, educate their members in the spirit of communist morality, take care to raise their political consciousness, culture and professional qualifications.

Article 9 publicity, constant consideration of public opinion.

Chapter 2. Economic system

Article 10. The economic system of the USSR develops on the basis of the property of Soviet citizens, collective and state property.

The state creates the conditions necessary for the development of various forms of ownership and ensures their equal protection.

The land, its subsoil, water, flora and fauna in their natural state are the inalienable property of the peoples living in this territory, are under the jurisdiction of the Councils of People's Deputies and are provided for use by citizens, enterprises, institutions and organizations.

Article 11. The property of a citizen of the USSR is his personal property and is used to satisfy material and spiritual needs, independently conduct economic and other activities not prohibited by law.

A citizen may own any property for consumer and industrial purposes, acquired at the expense of labor income and on other legal grounds, except for those types of property, the acquisition of which by citizens is not allowed.

Citizens have the right to have land plots in inheritable possession for life, as well as in use, for conducting peasant and personal subsidiary plots and for other purposes provided for by law.

The right to inherit property of a citizen is recognized and protected by law.

Article 12 Collective property is the property of leased enterprises, collective enterprises, cooperatives, joint-stock companies, economic organizations and other associations. Collective property is created by transforming state property in the manner prescribed by law and by voluntary association of property of citizens and organizations.

Article 13. State property is all-Union property, the property of Union republics, the property of autonomous republics, autonomous regions, autonomous districts, territories, regions and other administrative-territorial units (communal property).

Article 14. The source of the growth of social wealth, the well-being of the people and every Soviet person is the labor of Soviet people free from exploitation.

In accordance with the principle of socialism, "From each according to his ability, to each according to his work," the state exercises control over the measure of labor and consumption. It determines the amount of tax on income subject to taxation.

Socially useful labor and its results determine the position of a person in society. The state, by combining material and moral incentives, by encouraging innovation and a creative attitude to work, contributes to the transformation of labor into the first vital necessity of every Soviet person.

Article 15. The highest goal of social production under socialism is the most complete satisfaction of the growing material and spiritual needs of people.

Relying on the creative activity of the working people, socialist emulation, the achievement of scientific and technological progress, and improving the forms and methods of managing the economy, the state ensures the growth of labor productivity, an increase in the efficiency of production and the quality of work, and the dynamic, planned and proportional development of the national economy.

Article 16. The economy of the USSR constitutes a single national economic complex, embracing all links of social production, distribution and exchange on the territory of the country.

Management of the economy is carried out on the basis of state plans for economic and social development, taking into account sectoral and territorial principles, with a combination of centralized management with economic independence and the initiative of enterprises, associations and other organizations. At the same time, economic calculation, profit, cost, other economic levers and incentives are actively used.

Article 17 In the USSR, in accordance with the law, individual labor activity in the sphere of handicrafts, agriculture, consumer services for the population, as well as other types of activity based solely on the personal labor of citizens and members of their families, is allowed. The state regulates individual labor activity, ensuring its use in the interests of society.

Article 18. In the interests of present and future generations, the USSR takes the necessary measures for the protection and scientifically substantiated, rational use of the land and its subsoil, water resources, flora and fauna, for the preservation of clean air and water, for ensuring the reproduction of natural resources and improving the environment. the person of the environment.

Chapter 3 Social Development and Culture

Article 19. The social basis of the USSR is the indestructible alliance of workers, peasants and intelligentsia.

The state promotes the strengthening of the social homogeneity of society - the erasure of class differences, the essential differences between town and country, mental and physical labor, the all-round development and rapprochement of all nations and nationalities of the USSR.

Article 20 In accordance with the communist ideal "The free development of everyone is a condition for the free development of all," the state aims to expand real opportunities for citizens to use their creative forces, abilities and talents, for the all-round development of the individual.

Article 21. The state takes care of improving the conditions and protection of labor, its scientific organization, the reduction, and in the future, the complete replacement of heavy physical labor on the basis of comprehensive mechanization and automation of production processes in all sectors of the national economy.

Article 22 The USSR is consistently implementing a program for transforming agricultural labor into a variety of industrial labor; expansion in rural areas of the network of institutions of public education, culture, health care, trade and public catering, consumer services and public utilities; transformation of villages and villages into comfortable settlements.

Article 23 Based on the growth of labor productivity, the state is steadily pursuing a policy of raising the level of wages and real incomes of the working people.

In order to better meet the needs of the Soviet people, public consumption funds are being created. The state, with the broad participation of public organizations and labor collectives, ensures the growth and fair distribution of these funds.

Article 24 State systems of public health, social security, trade and public catering, consumer services and communal services are functioning and developing in the USSR.

The state encourages the activities of cooperative and other public organizations in all spheres of public services. It promotes the development of mass physical culture and sports.

Article 25. In the USSR there is and is being improved a unified system of public education, which provides general educational and vocational training for citizens, serves the communist education, spiritual and physical development of young people, and prepares them for work and social activities.

Article 26 In accordance with the needs of society, the state ensures the systematic development of science and the training of scientific personnel, organizes the introduction of the results of scientific research into the national economy and other spheres of life.

Article 27

The development of professional art and folk art is encouraged in every possible way in the USSR.

Chapter 4 Foreign Policy

Article 28. The USSR is steadfastly pursuing the Leninist policy of peace and is in favor of strengthening the security of peoples and broad international cooperation.

The foreign policy of the USSR is aimed at ensuring favorable international conditions for building communism in the USSR, protecting the state interests of the Soviet Union, strengthening the positions of world socialism, supporting the peoples' struggle for national liberation and social progress, preventing aggressive wars, achieving general and complete disarmament, and consistently implementing the principle of peaceful coexistence of states with different social systems.

Propaganda of war is prohibited in the USSR.

Article 29. The relations of the USSR with other states are built on the basis of observance of the principles of sovereign equality; mutual renunciation of the use of force or threat of force; inviolability of borders; territorial integrity of states; peaceful settlement of disputes; non-interference in internal affairs; respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; equality and the right of peoples to control their own destiny; cooperation between states; conscientious fulfillment of obligations arising from the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, from the international treaties concluded by the USSR.

Article 30. The USSR, as an integral part of the world system of socialism, the socialist community, develops and strengthens friendship and cooperation, comradely mutual assistance with the countries of socialism on the basis of the principle of socialist internationalism, actively participates in economic integration and in the international socialist division of labor.

Chapter 5. Defense of the Socialist Fatherland

Article 31 The defense of the socialist fatherland is one of the most important functions of the state and is the business of the entire people.

In order to protect the socialist gains, the peaceful labor of the Soviet people, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, the Armed Forces of the USSR were created and universal military duty was established.

The duty of the Armed Forces of the USSR to the people is to reliably defend the socialist Fatherland, to be in constant combat readiness, which guarantees an immediate rebuff to any aggressor.

Article 32

The obligations of state bodies, public organizations, officials and citizens to ensure the security of the country and strengthen its defense capability are determined by the legislation of the USSR.

II. State and personality

Chapter 6. Citizenship of the USSR. Equality of citizens

Article 33. A single union citizenship has been established in the USSR. Every citizen of a Union Republic is a citizen of the USSR.

The grounds for and procedure for the acquisition and loss of Soviet citizenship are determined by the Law on Citizenship of the USSR.

Citizens of the USSR abroad enjoy the protection and patronage of the Soviet state.

Article 34. Citizens of the USSR are equal before the law, regardless of origin, social and property status, race and nationality, sex, education, language, attitude to religion, type and nature of occupation, place of residence and other circumstances.

Equality of rights for citizens of the USSR is ensured in all areas of economic, political, social and cultural life.

Article 35. Women and men have equal rights in the USSR.

The exercise of these rights is ensured by providing women with equal opportunities with men in obtaining education and training, in work, remuneration for it and promotion at work, in socio-political and cultural activities, as well as special measures for the protection of labor and women's health; creating conditions that allow women to combine work with motherhood; legal protection, material and moral support for motherhood and childhood, including the provision of paid leave and other benefits to pregnant women and mothers, the gradual reduction of working hours for women with young children.

Article 36 Citizens of the USSR of various races and nationalities have equal rights.

The exercise of these rights is ensured by the policy of all-round development and rapprochement of all the nations and peoples of the USSR, the education of citizens in the spirit of Soviet patriotism and socialist internationalism, and the opportunity to use their native language and the languages of other peoples of the USSR.

Any direct or indirect restriction of rights, the establishment of direct or indirect advantages of citizens on racial and national grounds, as well as any preaching of racial or national exclusiveness, enmity or neglect, are punishable by law.

Article 37. Foreign citizens and stateless persons in the USSR are guaranteed the rights and freedoms provided for by law, including the right to apply to court and other state bodies to protect their personal, property, family and other rights.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons staying on the territory of the USSR are obliged to respect the Constitution of the USSR and observe Soviet laws.

Article 38. The USSR grants the right of asylum to foreigners persecuted for defending the interests of working people and the cause of peace, for participating in a revolutionary and national liberation movement, for progressive socio-political, scientific or other creative activity.

Chapter 7. Fundamental rights, freedoms and duties of citizens of the USSR

Article 39 Citizens of the USSR have the entirety of socio-economic, political and personal rights and freedoms proclaimed and guaranteed by the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws. The socialist system ensures the expansion of rights and freedoms, the continuous improvement of the living conditions of citizens as the programs of socio-economic and cultural development are carried out.

The use of rights and freedoms by citizens should not harm the interests of society and the state, the rights of other citizens.

Article 40 Citizens of the USSR have the right to work - that is, to receive guaranteed work with pay in accordance with its quantity and quality and not less than the minimum amount established by the state - including the right to choose a profession, occupation and work in accordance with vocation , abilities, training, education and social needs.

This right is ensured by the socialist economic system, the steady growth of the productive forces, free vocational training, the improvement of labor qualifications and training in new specialties, and the development of vocational guidance and employment systems.

Article 41 Citizens of the USSR have the right to rest.

This right is ensured by the establishment for workers and employees of a working week not exceeding 41 hours, a shorter working day for a number of professions and industries, a reduced duration of work at night; the provision of annual paid holidays, days of weekly rest, as well as the expansion of the network of cultural, educational and health institutions, the development of mass sports, physical culture and tourism; creation of favorable opportunities for recreation at the place of residence and other conditions for the rational use of free time.

The hours of work and rest of collective farmers are regulated by the collective farms.

Article 42 Citizens of the USSR have the right to health care.

This right is ensured by free qualified medical care provided by state healthcare institutions; expanding the network of institutions for the treatment and promotion of the health of citizens; development and improvement of safety and industrial sanitation; carrying out extensive preventive measures; measures to improve the environment; special concern for the health of the younger generation, including the prohibition of child labor not related to training and labor education; the deployment of scientific research aimed at preventing and reducing morbidity, at ensuring a long-term active life of citizens.

Article 43 Citizens of the USSR have the right to material security in old age, in case of illness, complete or partial disability, and loss of a breadwinner.

This right is guaranteed by social insurance of workers, employees and collective farmers, temporary disability benefits; payment at the expense of the state and collective farms of pensions for old age, disability and for the loss of a breadwinner; employment of citizens who have partially lost their ability to work; caring for the elderly and the disabled; other forms of social security.

Article 44 Citizens of the USSR have the right to housing.

This right is ensured by the development and protection of state and public housing stock, promotion of cooperative and individual housing construction, fair distribution under public control of living space provided as the program for the construction of comfortable housing is implemented, as well as low rents and utility bills. Citizens of the USSR must take care of the housing provided to them.

Article 45 Citizens of the USSR have the right to education.

This right is ensured by the free of charge of all types of education, the implementation of universal compulsory secondary education for young people, the broad development of vocational, secondary specialized and higher education on the basis of the connection of education with life, with production; development of correspondence and evening education; the provision of state scholarships and benefits to pupils and students, the free distribution of school textbooks; the opportunity to study at school in their native language; creating conditions for self-education.

Article 46 Citizens of the USSR have the right to enjoy the achievements of culture.

This right is ensured by the general accessibility of the values of national and world culture, which are in state and public funds; development and uniform distribution of cultural and educational institutions throughout the country; the development of television and radio, book publishing and periodicals, a network of free libraries; expansion of cultural exchange with foreign countries.

Article 47 Citizens of the USSR, in accordance with the goals of communist construction, are guaranteed freedom of scientific, technical and artistic creativity. It is ensured by the wide deployment of scientific research, inventive and rationalization activities, and the development of literature and art. The state creates the necessary material conditions for this, provides support to voluntary societies and creative unions, organizes the introduction of inventions and rationalization proposals in the national economy and other spheres of life.

Article 48 Citizens of the USSR have the right to participate in the management of state and public affairs, in the discussion and adoption of laws and decisions of national and local significance.

This right is ensured by the opportunity to elect and be elected to the Soviets of People's Deputies and other elected state bodies, to take part in national discussions and voting, in people's control, in the work of state bodies, public organizations and bodies of public amateur performance, in meetings of labor collectives and at the place of residence. .

Article 49. Every citizen of the USSR has the right to submit proposals to state bodies and public organizations for the improvement of their activities, to criticize shortcomings in their work.

Officials are obliged to consider the proposals and applications of citizens within the established time limits, give answers to them and take the necessary measures.

Prosecution for criticism is prohibited. Those who pursue criticism are held accountable.

Article 50 In accordance with the interests of the people and for the purpose of strengthening and developing the socialist system, the citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedoms: freedom of speech, press, meetings, rallies, street processions and demonstrations.

The exercise of these political freedoms is ensured by the provision of public buildings, streets and squares to the working people and their organizations, the wide dissemination of information, and the possibility of using the press, television and radio.

Article 51 Citizens of the USSR have the right to unite in political parties, public organizations, and to participate in mass movements that contribute to the development of political activity and amateur activity and the satisfaction of their diverse interests.

Public organizations are guaranteed conditions for the successful fulfillment of their statutory tasks.

Article 52. Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedom of conscience, that is, the right to profess any religion or none, to practice religious cults or conduct atheistic propaganda. Incitement of enmity and hatred in connection with religious beliefs is prohibited.

The church in the USSR is separated from the state and the school from the church.

Article 53 The family is under the protection of the state.

Marriage is based on the voluntary consent of a woman and a man; spouses are completely equal in family relations.

The state takes care of the family by creating and developing a wide network of children's institutions, organizing and improving the service of everyday life and public catering, paying benefits on the occasion of the birth of a child, providing benefits and benefits to large families, as well as other types of benefits and assistance to the family.

Article 54 Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed inviolability of the person. No one may be arrested except on the basis of a court decision or with the authorization of a prosecutor.

Article 55 Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed the inviolability of their homes. No one has the right to enter a dwelling without a legal basis against the will of the persons living in it.

Article 56. The private life of citizens, the secrecy of correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic messages are protected by law.

Article 57. Respect for the individual, protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens is the duty of all state bodies, public organizations and officials.

Citizens of the USSR have the right to judicial protection against encroachments on honor and dignity, life and health, personal freedom and property.

Article 58 Citizens of the USSR have the right to appeal against the actions of officials, state and public bodies. Complaints must be considered in the manner and within the time limits established by law.

Actions of officials committed in violation of the law, in excess of authority, infringing on the rights of citizens, may be appealed to the court in accordance with the procedure established by law.

Citizens of the USSR have the right to compensation for damage caused by illegal actions of state and public organizations, as well as officials in the performance of their official duties.

Article 59

A citizen of the USSR is obliged to abide by the Constitution of the USSR and Soviet laws, to respect the rules of socialist community life, and to carry with dignity the high title of citizen of the USSR.

Article 60. The duty and matter of honor of every citizen of the USSR capable of labor is conscientious work in the field of socially useful activity chosen by him, observance of labor discipline. Avoidance of socially useful labor is incompatible with the principles of socialist society.

Article 61. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to preserve and strengthen socialist property. The duty of a citizen of the USSR is to fight the theft and waste of state and public property, to treat the people's good with care.

Persons who infringe on socialist property are punished according to the law.

Article 62. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to protect the interests of the Soviet state, to contribute to the strengthening of its power and authority.

The defense of the socialist Fatherland is the sacred duty of every citizen of the USSR.

Treason to the motherland is the gravest crime against the people.

Article 63. Military service in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the USSR is an honorable duty of Soviet citizens.

Article 64. The duty of every citizen of the USSR is to respect the national dignity of other citizens, to strengthen the friendship of the nations and nationalities of the Soviet multinational state.

Article 65. A citizen of the USSR is obliged to respect the rights and legitimate interests of other persons, to be irreconcilable to anti-social acts, and to contribute in every possible way to the protection of public order.

Article 66 Citizens of the USSR are obliged to take care of the upbringing of children, to prepare them for socially useful work, to raise them as worthy members of socialist society. Children have an obligation to take care of their parents and help them.

Article 67 Citizens of the USSR are obliged to preserve nature and protect its riches.

Article 68 Concern for the preservation of historical monuments and other cultural values is the duty and obligation of citizens of the USSR.

Article 69. The international duty of a citizen of the USSR is to promote the development of friendship and cooperation with the peoples of other countries, the maintenance and strengthening of world peace.

III. National-state structure of the USSR

Chapter 8

Article 70. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a single union multinational state formed on the basis of the principle of socialist federalism, as a result of the free self-determination of nations and the voluntary unification of equal Soviet Socialist Republics.

The USSR embodies the state unity of the Soviet people and unites all nations and nationalities for the joint construction of communism.

Article 71. The following are united in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:

Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic,

Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic,

Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic

Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic,

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic,

Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic,

Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic,

Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic,

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Article 72 Each Union Republic retains the right to freely secede from the USSR.

Article 73

1) the admission of new republics to the USSR; approval of the formation of new autonomous republics and autonomous regions within the union republics;

2) determination of the state border of the USSR and approval of changes in the borders between the union republics;

3) establishment of general principles for the organization and activities of republican and local bodies of state power and administration;

4) ensuring the unity of legislative regulation throughout the territory of the USSR, establishing the fundamentals of the legislation of the USSR and the Union republics;

5) implementation of a unified socio-economic policy, management of the country's economy; determination of the main directions of scientific and technological progress and general measures for the rational use and protection of natural resources; development and approval of state plans for the economic and social development of the USSR, approval of reports on their implementation;

6) development and approval of the unified state budget of the USSR, approval of the report on its execution; management of a unified monetary and credit system; the establishment of taxes and revenues received for the formation of the state budget of the USSR; determination of the policy in the field of prices and wages;

7) management of sectors of the national economy, associations and enterprises of union subordination; general management of branches of union-republican subordination;

8) issues of peace and war, protection of sovereignty, protection of state borders and territory of the USSR, organization of defense, leadership of the Armed Forces of the USSR;

9) ensuring state security;

10) representation of the USSR in international relations; relations of the USSR with foreign states and international organizations; establishing a general order and coordinating relations between the union republics and foreign states and international organizations; foreign trade and other types of foreign economic activity on the basis of state monopoly;

11) control over observance of the Constitution of the USSR and ensuring the conformity of the constitutions of the Union republics with the Constitution of the USSR;

12) resolution of other issues of all-Union significance.

Article 74. The laws of the USSR have equal force on the territory of all Union republics. In the event of a discrepancy between the law of a union republic and the all-union law, the law of the USSR shall apply.

Article 75. The territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is united and includes the territories of the union republics.

The sovereignty of the USSR extends to its entire territory.

Chapter 9. Federal Soviet Socialist Republic

Article 76 A Union Republic is a sovereign Soviet socialist state that has united with other Soviet republics to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Outside the limits specified in Article 73 of the Constitution of the USSR, a union republic independently exercises state power on its territory.

A federal republic has its own Constitution, which corresponds to the Constitution of the USSR and takes into account the peculiarities of the republic.

Article 77. The Union Republic participates in the resolution of questions within the jurisdiction of the USSR at the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Federation Council, the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR and other organs of the USSR.

The Union Republic ensures comprehensive economic and social development on its territory, promotes the exercise of the powers of the USSR on this territory, and implements the decisions of the highest organs of state power and administration of the USSR.

On matters within its jurisdiction, the union republic coordinates and controls the activities of enterprises, institutions and organizations of union subordination.

Article 78. The territory of a Union Republic cannot be changed without its consent. The boundaries between Union republics may be changed by mutual agreement of the respective republics, which is subject to approval by the USSR.

Article 79

Article 80 A federal republic has the right to enter into relations with foreign states, conclude treaties with them and exchange diplomatic and consular representatives, and participate in the activities of international organizations.

Article 81. The sovereign rights of the Union Republics are protected by the USSR.

Chapter 10. Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic

Article 82 An autonomous republic is part of a union republic.

An autonomous republic, outside the limits of the rights of the USSR and a union republic, independently decides questions within its jurisdiction.

An autonomous republic has its own constitution, corresponding to the constitution of the USSR and the constitution of a union republic, and taking into account the peculiarities of an autonomous republic.

Article 83. The Autonomous Republic participates in the solution of questions assigned to the jurisdiction of the USSR and the Union Republic through the highest bodies of state power and administration, respectively, of the USSR and the Union Republic.

An autonomous republic ensures comprehensive economic and social development on its territory, facilitates the exercise of the powers of the USSR and the union republic on this territory, and implements the decisions of the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR and the union republic.

On issues within its jurisdiction, the autonomous republic coordinates and controls the activities of enterprises, institutions and organizations of union and republican (union republic) subordination.

Article 84. The territory of an autonomous republic cannot be changed without its consent.

Article 85 , Yakutskaya.

The Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Abkhazian and Adzharian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.

Chapter 11

Article 86 An autonomous region is part of a union republic or territory. The law on an autonomous region is adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic on the proposal of the Council of People's Deputies of the Autonomous Region.

Article 87

The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic includes the South Ossetian Autonomous Region.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region is part of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.

The Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic includes the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.

Article 88 An autonomous region is part of a krai or region. The law on autonomous regions is adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Union Republic.

IV. Councils of People's Deputies and the procedure for their election

Chapter 12

Article 89 public authorities.

Article 90. The term of office of the Soviets of People's Deputies is five years.

Elections of people's deputies of the USSR are called no later than four months before the expiration of the term of office of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

The timing and procedure for scheduling elections of people's deputies of the union and autonomous republics, local Soviets of people's deputies are determined by the laws of the union and autonomous republics.

Article 91. The most important issues of all-Union, republican and local significance are decided at meetings of the Congresses of People's Deputies, sessions of the Supreme Soviets and local Soviets of People's Deputies or are put by them to referendums.

The Supreme Soviets of the Union and Autonomous Republics are elected directly by the voters, and in those republics where the creation of Congresses is envisaged, by the Congress of People's Deputies.

The Soviets of People's Deputies form committees, standing commissions, create executive and administrative, as well as other bodies accountable to them.

Officials elected or appointed by the Soviets of People's Deputies, with the exception of judges, may not hold their positions for more than two consecutive terms.

Any official may be prematurely dismissed from his position in case of improper performance of his official duties.

Article 92 The Soviets of People's Deputies form organs of people's control, combining state control with social control of the working people in enterprises, institutions and organizations.

People's control bodies check the fulfillment of the requirements of the legislation, state programs and assignments; they are fighting violations of state discipline, manifestations of parochialism, a departmental approach to business, mismanagement and wastefulness, red tape and bureaucracy; coordinate the work of other control bodies; contribute to the improvement of the structure and work of the state apparatus.

Article 93. The Soviets of People's Deputies, directly and through the bodies they create, direct all branches of state, economic, social and cultural construction, adopt decisions, ensure their implementation, exercise control over the implementation of decisions.

Article 94. The activity of the Soviets of People's Deputies is built on the basis of collective, free, business-like discussion and resolution of issues, publicity, regular reporting of the executive and administrative bodies, other bodies created by the Soviets to them and the population, wide involvement of citizens in their work.

The Soviets of People's Deputies and the bodies they create take into account public opinion, bring to the discussion of citizens the most important issues of national and local importance, systematically inform citizens about their work and the decisions taken.

Chapter 13. Electoral system

Article 95 Elections of people's deputies are held in single-member and multi-member electoral districts on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Part of the people's deputies of the union and autonomous republics, if it is provided for by the constitutions of the republics, may be elected from public organizations.

Article 96 Elections of people's deputies from electoral districts are universal - citizens of the USSR who have reached 18 years of age have the right to vote.

A citizen of the USSR who has reached the age of 21 may be elected a People's Deputy of the USSR.

A citizen of the USSR cannot simultaneously be a People's Deputy in more than two Soviets of People's Deputies.

Persons who are members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, the Councils of Ministers of the Union and Autonomous Republics, the executive committees of local Soviets of People's Deputies, with the exception of the chairmen of these bodies, the heads of departments, departments and departments of the executive committees of local Soviets, judges cannot be deputies in the Soviet, to which they appointed or elected.

Mentally ill citizens who have been declared legally incompetent by a court, persons held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court verdict, do not participate in the elections. Persons in respect of whom, in accordance with the procedure established by the criminal procedural legislation, a measure of restraint has been chosen - detention in custody do not take part in the voting.

Any direct or indirect restriction of the electoral rights of citizens of the USSR is unacceptable and is punishable by law.

Article 97 Elections of people's deputies from electoral districts are equal: a voter in each electoral district has one vote; voters participate in elections on an equal footing.

Article 98 Elections of people's deputies from constituencies are direct: people's deputies are directly elected by citizens.

Article 100. The right to nominate candidates for people's deputies in electoral districts belongs to labor collectives, public organizations, collectives of secondary specialized and higher educational institutions, meetings of voters at the place of residence and military personnel in military units. Bodies and organizations that have the right to nominate candidates for people's deputies from public organizations are determined accordingly by the laws of the USSR, union and autonomous republics.

The number of candidates for people's deputies is not limited. Each participant of the pre-election meeting may propose any candidates for discussion, including his own.

Any number of candidates may be included on the ballots.

Candidates for people's deputies participate in the election campaign on an equal footing.

In order to ensure equal conditions for each candidate for people's deputies, expenses related to the preparation and conduct of elections of people's deputies are made by the relevant election commission from a single fund created at the expense of the state, as well as voluntary contributions from enterprises, public organizations, citizens.

Article 101 Preparations for the election of people's deputies are carried out openly and publicly.

The holding of elections is ensured by election commissions, which are formed from representatives elected by meetings (conferences) of labor collectives, public organizations, collectives of secondary specialized and higher educational institutions, meetings of voters at the place of residence and military personnel in military units.

Citizens of the USSR, labor collectives, public organizations, collectives of secondary specialized and higher educational institutions, military personnel in military units are guaranteed the opportunity to freely and comprehensively discuss the political, business and personal qualities of candidates for people's deputies, as well as the right to agitate for or against a candidate at meetings, in print, television, radio.

The procedure for holding elections of people's deputies is determined by the laws of the USSR and the union and autonomous republics.

Article 102 Voters and public organizations issue orders to their deputies.

The relevant Councils of People's Deputies consider orders, take them into account when developing plans for economic and social development and budgeting, as well as when preparing decisions on other issues, organize the implementation of orders and inform citizens about their implementation.

Chapter 14. People's Deputy

Article 103 Deputies are authorized representatives of the people in the Soviets of People's Deputies.

By participating in the work of the Soviets, the deputies resolve issues of state, economic and socio-cultural construction, organize the implementation of the decisions of the Soviets, and exercise control over the work of state bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations.

In his activities, a deputy is guided by the interests of the state, takes into account the needs of the population of the constituency, the interests expressed by the public organization that elected him, achieves the implementation of the mandates of the voters and the public organization.

Article 104 A deputy shall exercise his powers, as a rule, without interrupting his production or service activities.

For the duration of meetings of the Congresses of People's Deputies, sessions of the Supreme Soviets or local Soviets of People's Deputies, as well as for the exercise of deputy powers in other cases provided for by law, a deputy is released from the performance of production or official duties with reimbursement of expenses related to deputy activity at the expense of funds relevant state or local budget.

Article 105 A deputy has the right to make inquiries to the relevant state bodies and officials who are obliged to respond to inquiries at the Congress of People's Deputies, sessions of the Supreme Soviet, and local Soviets of People's Deputies.

A deputy has the right to apply to all state and public bodies, enterprises, institutions, organizations on issues of deputy activity and to take part in the consideration of the issues raised by him. The heads of the relevant state and public bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations are obliged to receive the deputy without delay and consider his proposals within the established time limits.

Article 106 A deputy shall be provided with conditions for the unhindered and effective exercise of his rights and duties.

The immunity of deputies, as well as other guarantees of deputy activity, are established by the Law on the Status of Deputies and other legislative acts of the USSR, union and autonomous republics.

Article 107. A deputy is obliged to report on his work, the work of the Congress of People's Deputies, the Supreme Soviet or the local Soviet of People's Deputies to the voters, collectives and public organizations that nominated him as a candidate for deputy, or to the public organization that elected him.

A deputy who has not justified the trust of voters or a public organization may be recalled at any time by decision of the majority of voters or the public organization that elected him in the manner prescribed by law.

V. The highest organs of state power and administration of the USSR

Chapter 15. The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR

Article 108. The highest organ of state power in the USSR is the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR is authorized to accept for its consideration and decide any question that falls within the jurisdiction of the USSR.

The exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR includes:

1) the adoption of the Constitution of the USSR, the introduction of amendments to it;

2) decision-making on issues of the national-state system, assigned to the jurisdiction of the USSR;

3) determination of the state border of the USSR; approval of changes in the borders between the union republics;

4) determination of the main directions of the domestic and foreign policy of the USSR;

5) approval of long-term state plans and the most important all-Union programs for the economic and social development of the USSR;

6) election of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;

7) approval of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Prosecutor General of the USSR, the Chairman of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR;

8) election of the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR on the proposal of the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;

9) cancellation of acts adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;

10) making decisions on holding a nationwide vote (referendum).

The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR adopts laws of the USSR and resolutions by a majority vote of the total number of People's Deputies of the USSR.

Article 109. The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR consists of 2,250 deputies who are elected in the following order:

750 deputies - from territorial constituencies with an equal number of voters;

750 deputies - from national-territorial electoral districts according to the norms: 32 deputies from each union republic, 11 deputies from each autonomous republic, 5 deputies from each autonomous region and one deputy from each autonomous district;

750 deputies - from all-Union public organizations according to the norms established by the Law on Elections of People's Deputies of the USSR.

Article 110. The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR is convened for the first session no later than two months after the elections.

On the proposal of the credentials committee elected by it, the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR decides to recognize the powers of the deputies, and in case of violation of the electoral legislation, to recognize the elections of individual deputies as invalid.

The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR is convened by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Regular meetings of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR are held at least once a year. Extraordinary sittings are convened at the initiative of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, at the proposal of one of its chambers, the President of the USSR, at least one-fifth of the people's deputies of the USSR, or at the initiative of the union republic represented by its supreme body of state power.

The first session of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR after the elections is presided over by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission for Elections of People's Deputies of the USSR, and then by the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Article 111. The Supreme Soviet of the USSR is a permanent legislative and control body of state power in the USSR.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR consists of two chambers: the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities, which are equal in size. The Chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR have equal rights.

Chambers are elected at the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR by a general vote of deputies. The Council of the Union is elected from among the people's deputies of the USSR from the territorial electoral districts and people's deputies of the USSR from public organizations, taking into account the number of voters in the union republic or region. The Soviet of Nationalities is elected from among the people's deputies of the USSR from national-territorial electoral districts and people's deputies of the USSR from public organizations according to the norms: 11 deputies from each union republic, 4 deputies from each autonomous republic, 2 deputies from each autonomous region and one deputy from each autonomous districts.

The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR annually renews up to one-fifth of the composition of the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities.

Each chamber of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR elects a Chairman of the Chamber and two of his deputies. The chairmen of the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities direct the meetings of the respective chambers and are in charge of their internal routine.

Joint sessions of the chambers are chaired by the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or by the chairmen of the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities in turn.

Article 112 The Supreme Soviet of the USSR is convened annually by the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR for regular - spring and autumn - sessions lasting, as a rule, three to four months each.

Extraordinary sessions are convened by the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on his initiative or at the proposal of the President of the USSR, of a Union Republic represented by its highest body of state power, at least one third of the composition of one of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR consists of separate and joint sessions of the chambers, as well as meetings of the standing committees of the chambers and committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR held between them. The session opens and closes at separate or joint sessions of the chambers.

After the expiration of the term of office of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR retains its powers until the formation of a new composition of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR by the newly elected Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

Article 113 Supreme Soviet of the USSR:

1) calls the election of people's deputies of the USSR and approves the composition of the Central Election Commission for the election of people's deputies of the USSR;

2) on the proposal of the President of the USSR, forms and abolishes the ministries of the USSR and other central bodies of state administration of the USSR;

3) on the proposal of the President of the USSR, approves the Prime Minister, gives consent to the session or rejects the candidacies of members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR and members of the Security Council of the USSR, gives consent to the dismissal of these persons;

4) elect the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR, appoint the Prosecutor General of the USSR, approve the Board of the Prosecutor's Office of the USSR, and appoint the Chairman of the Control Chamber of the USSR;

5) regularly hear reports from the bodies formed or elected by him, as well as officials appointed or elected by him;

6) ensures the unity of legislative regulation throughout the territory of the USSR, establishes the foundations of the legislation of the USSR and the union republics;

7) carries out, within the competence of the USSR, legislative regulation of the procedure for the implementation of constitutional rights, freedoms and duties of citizens, property relations, organization of management of the national economy and socio-cultural construction, the budgetary and financial system, wages and pricing, taxation, environmental protection and use natural resources, as well as other relations;

8) gives an interpretation of the laws of the USSR;

9) establishes the general principles of organization and activities of republican and local bodies of state power and administration; determines the basis of the legal status of public organizations;

10) submit for approval by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR draft long-term state plans and the most important all-Union programs for the economic and social development of the USSR; approves the state plans for the economic and social development of the USSR, the state budget of the USSR; monitors the implementation of the plan and budget; approves reports on their implementation; makes changes to the plan and budget, if necessary;

11) ratify and denounce international treaties of the USSR;

12) exercise control over the provision of state loans, economic and other assistance to foreign states, as well as the conclusion of agreements on state loans and credits received from foreign sources;

13) determine the main activities in the field of defense and ensuring state security; imposes martial law or a state of emergency throughout the country; declares a state of war if it is necessary to fulfill international treaty obligations on mutual defense against aggression;

14) decide on the use of contingents of the Armed Forces of the USSR if necessary to fulfill international treaty obligations to maintain peace and security;

15) establish military ranks, diplomatic ranks and other special ranks;

16) establish orders and medals of the USSR; establishes honorary titles of the USSR;

17) issue all-Union acts on amnesty;

18) has the right to revoke acts of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR if they are inconsistent with the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR;

19) revoke the resolutions and orders of the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics if they are inconsistent with the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR;

20) in the period between the Congresses of People's Deputies of the USSR, decides to hold a nationwide vote (referendum of the USSR);

21) resolves other issues within the jurisdiction of the USSR, except for those relating to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopts laws of the USSR and resolutions.

Laws and resolutions adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR cannot contradict laws and other acts adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

Article 114 the USSR, the Union and Autonomous Republics represented by their highest bodies of state power, autonomous regions, autonomous districts, the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Prosecutor General of the USSR, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR.

Public organizations represented by their all-Union bodies and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR also have the right to initiate legislation.

Article 115 Draft laws submitted for consideration by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are discussed by the chambers at their separate or joint sessions.

A law of the USSR is considered adopted if in each of the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR a majority of the members of the chamber voted for it.

Draft laws and other most important questions of state life, by decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, adopted on its initiative or on the proposal of the Union Republic represented by its supreme body of state power, may be submitted for nationwide discussion.

Article 116. Each chamber of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR has the right to consider any questions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

First of all, the issues of socio-economic development and state building, which are of common importance for the whole country, are subject to consideration in the Council of the Union; rights, freedoms and duties of citizens of the USSR; foreign policy of the USSR; defense and state security of the USSR.

First of all, the Council of Nationalities should consider questions of ensuring national equality, the interests of nations, nationalities and national groups, combined with the common interests and needs of the Soviet multinational state; improvement of the legislation of the USSR regulating interethnic relations.

On issues within its competence, each of the chambers adopts resolutions.

A decision adopted by one of the chambers, if necessary, is transferred to another chamber and, upon approval by it, acquires the force of a decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Article 117. In case of disagreement between the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities, the issue is referred to a conciliation commission formed by the chambers on an equal footing, after which it is considered again by the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities at a joint session.

Article 118. To organize the work of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, a Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR is created, headed by the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR includes: the Chairman of the Council of the Union and the Chairman of the Council of Nationalities, their deputies, the chairmen of the standing committees of the chambers and committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, other people's deputies of the USSR - one from each union republic, as well as two representatives from the autonomous republics and one - from autonomous regions and autonomous regions.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR prepares meetings of the Congress and sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, coordinates the activities of the standing committees of the chambers and committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, organizes nationwide discussions of draft laws of the USSR and other most important issues of state life.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR ensures the publication in the languages of the union republics of the texts of laws of the USSR and other acts adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, its chambers, and the President of the USSR.

Decisions of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are formalized in the form of resolutions.

Article 119. The Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR is elected by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR from among the People's Deputies of the USSR by secret ballot for a term of five years and no more than two consecutive terms. It may be withdrawn at any time by secret ballot by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

The Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR is accountable to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR issues resolutions on convening sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and orders on other issues.

Article 120 and other decisions adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, control over the activities of state bodies and organizations.

For the same purposes, the chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR may create committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on an equal footing.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR, each of its chambers create, when they deem it necessary, investigative, auditing and other commissions on any issue.

The standing commissions of the chambers and the committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR are annually renewed to one-fifth of their composition.

Article 121. Laws and other decisions of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, resolutions of its chambers are adopted, as a rule, after a preliminary discussion of the drafts by the respective permanent commissions of the chambers or committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The appointment and election of officials to the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR, the Board of the Prosecutor's Office of the USSR, as well as the Chairman of the Control Chamber of the USSR, is carried out subject to the conclusion of the relevant standing commissions of the chambers or committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

All state and public bodies, organizations and officials are obliged to comply with the requirements of the commissions of the chambers, commissions and committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, to provide them with the necessary materials and documents.

Recommendations of commissions and committees are subject to mandatory consideration by state and public bodies, institutions and organizations. The results of the consideration and the measures taken must be reported to the commissions and committees within the period set by them.

Article 122 Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR. The body or official to whom the request is addressed must give an oral or written answer at a given meeting of the Congress or at a given session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR within no more than three days.

Article 123. People's Deputies of the USSR have the right to be released from the performance of official or production duties for the period necessary for the exercise of deputy activity at the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, its chambers, commissions and committees, as well as among the population.

A People's Deputy of the USSR may not be prosecuted, arrested or subjected to administrative penalties imposed by a court without the consent of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and in the period between its sessions - without the consent of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Article 124. The Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR is elected by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR from among experts in the field of politics and law, consisting of a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and 25 members of the Committee, including one from each Union republic.

The term of office of persons elected to the USSR Constitutional Supervision Committee is ten years.

Persons elected to the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR cannot simultaneously be members of the regions whose acts are supervised by the Committee.

Persons elected to the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR are independent in the performance of their duties and are subject only to the Constitution of the USSR.

USSR Constitutional Supervision Committee:

1) on behalf of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, submits to it conclusions on the conformity with the Constitution of the USSR of draft laws of the USSR and other acts submitted for consideration by the Congress;

2) on the proposals of at least one-fifth of the people's deputies of the USSR, the President of the USSR, and the highest bodies of state power of the union republics, submit to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR opinions on the conformity of the laws of the USSR and other acts adopted by the Congress with the Constitution of the USSR.

On behalf of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, on the proposal of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, gives conclusions on the conformity of decrees of the President of the USSR with the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR;

3) on behalf of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, on the proposals of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the President of the USSR, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the highest bodies of state power of the Union republics, submits to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR or the Supreme Soviet of the USSR conclusions on the conformity of the Constitution of the USSR with the constitutions of the Union republics, and the laws of the Union republics republics - also to the laws of the USSR;

4) on behalf of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, on the proposals of at least one-fifth of the members of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the President of the USSR, the highest bodies of state power of the union republics, submit to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or the President of the USSR conclusions on the conformity of acts of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its chambers, draft acts, submitted for consideration by these bodies, the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, and the resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR - also the laws of the USSR adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR; on the conformity of international contractual and other obligations of the USSR and the Union Republics with the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR;

5) on behalf of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, on the proposals of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, its chambers, the President of the USSR, the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the standing commissions of the chambers and committees of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, the highest state authorities of the Union republics, the Control Chamber of the USSR, The Supreme Court of the USSR, the Prosecutor General of the USSR, the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR, the all-union bodies of public organizations and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR give opinions on the compliance of the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR with the normative legal acts of other state bodies and public organizations, in respect of which, in accordance with the Constitution of the USSR, no prosecutor supervision.

The Committee of Constitutional Supervision of the USSR is also entitled, on its own initiative, to submit conclusions on the conformity of the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR with acts of the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR, other bodies formed or elected by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

If an act or its individual provisions are found to be inconsistent with the Constitution of the USSR or the laws of the USSR, the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR sends its conclusion to the body that issued the act to eliminate the inconsistency. The adoption by the Committee of such a conclusion suspends the operation of an act that does not comply with the Constitution of the USSR or a law of the USSR, or of its individual provisions, with the exception of the laws of the USSR adopted by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, the constitutions of the Union republics. The act or its separate provisions, which, according to the Committee's conclusion, violate the rights and freedoms of citizens, lose their force from the moment such conclusion is adopted.

The body that issued the act brings it into conformity with the Constitution of the USSR or the law of the USSR. If the discrepancy is not eliminated, the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR enters with the submission, respectively, to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to the President of the USSR, to the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR on the abolition of acts of bodies or officials accountable to them that do not comply with the Constitution of the USSR or the law of the USSR.

The conclusion of the Committee may be rejected only by a decision of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, adopted by two-thirds of the votes of the total number of People's Deputies of the USSR.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the Committee for Constitutional Supervision of the USSR are determined by the Law on Constitutional Supervision in the USSR.

Article 125. The Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR exercise control over all state bodies accountable to them.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR directs the activities of the Control Chamber of the USSR, periodically hears its reports on the results of control over the receipt and expenditure of Union budget funds and the use of all-Union property.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the Control Chamber of the USSR are determined by the law of the USSR.

Article 126

Chapter 15.1. President of the USSR

Article 127. The head of the Soviet state - the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - is the President of the USSR.

Article 127.1. A citizen of the USSR no younger than thirty-five and no older than sixty-five may be elected President of the USSR. The same person cannot be the President of the USSR for more than two terms.

The President of the USSR is elected by the citizens of the USSR on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for a term of five years. The number of candidates for the post of President of the USSR is not limited. Elections of the President of the USSR are considered valid if at least fifty percent of the voters took part in them. A candidate is considered elected if he receives more than half of the votes of the voters who took part in the voting throughout the USSR as a whole and in most of the union republics.

The procedure for electing the President of the USSR is determined by the Law of the USSR.

The President of the USSR cannot be a people's deputy.

A person who is the President of the USSR may receive wages only for this position.

Article 127.2. Upon taking office, the President of the USSR takes the oath at a meeting of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR.

Article 127.3. USSR President:

1) acts as a guarantor of the observance of the rights and freedoms of Soviet citizens, the Constitution and laws of the USSR;

2) take the necessary measures to protect the sovereignty of the USSR and the Union republics, the security and territorial integrity of the country, to implement the principles of the national state structure of the USSR;

3) represents the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics within the country and in international relations;

4) heads the system of government bodies and ensures their interaction with the highest bodies of state power of the USSR;

5) submit annual reports on the state of the country to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR; informs the Supreme Soviet of the USSR about the most important questions of the domestic and foreign policy of the USSR;

6) taking into account the opinion of the Federation Council and in agreement with the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, forms the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, introduces changes into its composition, and submits a candidate for the post of Prime Minister to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR; upon agreement with the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, dismiss the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR;

7) submit to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR candidates for the posts of Chairman of the Supreme Court of the USSR, Prosecutor General of the USSR, Chairman of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR, then submit these officials to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR for approval; enters with submissions to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR on the release from duties of these officials, with the exception of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the USSR;

8) signs the laws of the USSR; has the right to return the law with its objections to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR no later than within two weeks for a second discussion and vote. If the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, by a two-thirds majority in each of the chambers, confirms its earlier decision, the President of the USSR signs the law;

9) have the right to cancel resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, acts of ministries of the USSR, other bodies subordinate to it; has the right, on matters within the jurisdiction of the USSR, to suspend the execution of resolutions and orders of the Councils of Ministers of the republics in cases of violation by them of the Constitution of the USSR and laws of the USSR;

9.1) heads the Security Council of the USSR, which is entrusted with the development of recommendations for the implementation of the all-Union policy in the field of national defense, maintaining its reliable state, economic and environmental security, overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and other emergencies, ensuring stability and legal order in society. Members of the USSR Security Council are appointed by the President of the USSR, taking into account the opinion of the Federation Council and in agreement with the Supreme Soviet of the USSR;

10) coordinate the activities of state bodies to ensure the defense of the country; is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the USSR, appoints and replaces the high command of the Armed Forces of the USSR, assigns the highest military ranks; appoints judges of military tribunals;

11) negotiate and sign international treaties of the USSR; accepts letters of credence and revocable letters of diplomatic representatives of foreign states accredited to him; appoints and recalls diplomatic representatives of the USSR in foreign states and at international organizations; assigns the highest diplomatic ranks and other special titles;

12) awards orders and medals of the USSR, confers honorary titles of the USSR;

13) decides on issues of admission to the citizenship of the USSR, withdrawal from it and deprivation of Soviet citizenship, granting asylum; grants pardon;

14) announces general or partial mobilization; declares a state of war in the event of a military attack on the USSR and immediately submits this issue for consideration by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR; declares martial law in certain areas in the interests of protecting the USSR and the security of its citizens. The procedure for introducing and the regime of martial law are determined by law;

15) in the interests of ensuring the safety of citizens of the USSR, warns of a state of emergency being declared in certain localities, and, if necessary, introduces it at the request or with the consent of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet or the highest body of state power of the corresponding union republic. In the absence of such consent, it introduces a state of emergency with the immediate submission of the adopted decision for approval by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on this issue is adopted by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of its members.

In the cases specified in the first part of this clause, it may introduce temporary presidential rule, while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the union republic.

The state of emergency, as well as presidential rule, is established by law;

16) in case of disagreements between the Council of the Union and the Council of Nationalities of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, which could not be resolved in the manner prescribed by Article 117 of the Constitution of the USSR, the President of the USSR considers the disputed issue in order to develop an acceptable solution. If it is not possible to reach an agreement and there is a real threat of disruption of the normal activities of the highest bodies of state power and administration of the USSR, the President may submit a proposal to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR on the election of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in a new composition.

Article 127.4. At the suggestion of the candidate for the Presidency of the USSR and together with him, the Vice-President of the USSR is elected. The Vice-President of the USSR, on behalf of the President of the USSR, performs certain of his powers and replaces the President of the USSR in the event of his absence and the impossibility of fulfilling his duties.

The vice-president of the USSR cannot be a people's deputy.

Article 127.5. The President of the USSR, on the basis of and in pursuance of the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR, issues decrees that are binding throughout the entire territory of the country.

Article 127.6. The President of the USSR has the right of immunity and can only be removed by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR if he violates the Constitution of the USSR and the laws of the USSR. Such a decision is made by at least two-thirds of the votes of the total number of deputies by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR on the initiative of the Congress itself or the USSR Supreme Soviet, taking into account the conclusion of the USSR Constitutional Supervision Committee.

Article 127.7. If the President of the USSR for one reason or another cannot continue to fulfill his duties, until the election of a new President of the USSR, his powers pass to the Vice-President of the USSR, and if this is not possible, to the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. The election of a new President of the USSR must be held within three months.

Chapter 15.2. Council of the Federation

Article 127.8. The President of the USSR heads the Federation Council, which includes the Vice-President of the USSR, the presidents (highest state officials) of the republics. The highest state officials of autonomous regions and autonomous districts have the right to participate in the meetings of the Federation Council with the right of a decisive vote on issues affecting their interests.

The Federation Council, on the basis of the directions of domestic and foreign policy of the USSR determined by the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, coordinates the activities of the highest bodies of state administration of the Union and the republics, monitors compliance with the Union Treaty, determines measures to implement the national policy of the Soviet state, ensures the participation of the republics in resolving issues of all-Union significance, adopts recommendations on the resolution of disputes and the settlement of conflict situations in interethnic relations.

Issues affecting the interests of peoples who do not have their own national-state formations are considered in the Federation Council with the participation of representatives of these peoples.

Article 127.9. A member of the Federation Council - the highest state official of the republic, representing and protecting its sovereignty and legitimate interests, participates in resolving all issues submitted for consideration by the Federation Council.

A member of the Federation Council ensures the implementation of the decisions of the Federation Council in the corresponding republic; controls the execution of these decisions; receives all the necessary information from federal bodies and officials; may appeal against the decisions of federal bodies of state administration that violate the rights of the republic established by law; on behalf of the President of the USSR represents the USSR abroad and exercises other powers.

Article 127.10. Decisions of the Federation Council are taken by a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes and formalized by decrees of the President of the USSR.

The Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR may participate in sessions of the Federation Council.

Chapter 16

Article 128. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR is the executive and administrative body of the USSR and is subordinate to the President of the USSR.

Article 129. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR consists of the Prime Minister, his deputies and ministers of the USSR.

The structure of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR is determined by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR at the proposal of the President of the USSR.

The heads of governments of the republics may participate in the work of the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR with the right of a decisive vote.

Article 130. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR is responsible to the President of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The newly formed Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR submits for consideration by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR a program of forthcoming activities for the term of its powers.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR at least once a year reports on its work to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

The Supreme Soviet of the USSR may express no confidence in the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, which entails its resignation. A resolution on this issue is adopted by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the total number of members of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Article 131. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR is authorized to resolve issues of state administration that fall under the jurisdiction of the USSR, insofar as they are not included, according to the Constitution of the USSR, within the competence of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Council of Federation.

Article 132. The Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR ensures:

carrying out jointly with the republics a unified financial, credit and monetary policy based on a common currency; drawing up and execution of the union budget; implementation of all-Union economic programs; the creation of inter-republican development funds, funds for the elimination of the consequences of natural disasters and catastrophes;

management jointly with the republics of the unified fuel, energy and transport systems of the country; management of defense enterprises, space research, allied communication and information systems, meteorology, geodesy, cartography, geology, metrology and standardization; implementation of a coordinated policy in the field of nature protection, environmental safety and nature management;

the implementation, together with the republics, of all-Union programs of food, health protection, social security, employment of the population, care for motherhood and childhood, culture and education, fundamental scientific research and stimulation of scientific and technological progress;

taking measures to ensure the defense of the country and state security;

implementation of the foreign policy of the USSR, regulation of the foreign economic activity of the USSR, coordination of the foreign policy and foreign economic activity of the republics, customs affairs;

implementation of measures agreed with the republics to ensure the rule of law, the rights and freedoms of citizens, the protection of property and public order, and the fight against crime.

Article 133

Article 135

Collegiums are set up in the ministries and other central organs of state administration of the USSR for the coordinated solution of questions of state administration, which include, ex officio, the heads of the corresponding bodies of the republics.

Article 136

VI. Fundamentals of building public authorities and administration in the union republics

Chapter 17

Article 137. The supreme organs of state power in the union republics are the Supreme Soviets of the union republics, and in those union republics where the establishment of congresses is envisaged, the congresses of people's deputies.

Article 138. The powers, structure and procedure for the activities of the highest bodies of state power in the union republics are determined by the constitutions and laws of the union republics.

Article 139

Article 140. The Council of Ministers of a Union Republic issues resolutions and orders on the basis of and in pursuance of legislative acts of the USSR and the Union Republic, acts of the President of the USSR and the Cabinet of Ministers of the USSR, organizes and checks their execution.

Article 141 not having a regional division - the executive committees of the district and relevant city councils of people's deputies.

Article 142

Union-republic ministries and state committees of a union republic direct the branches of government entrusted to them or carry out intersectoral management, reporting both to the Council of Ministers of the union republic and to the corresponding union-republic ministry of the USSR or the state committee of the USSR.

Republican ministries and state committees direct the branches of government entrusted to them or carry out intersectoral management, reporting to the Council of Ministers of the union republic.

Chapter 18

Article 143. The Supreme Soviets of the Autonomous Republics are the supreme organs of state power in the Autonomous Republics, and in those Autonomous Republics where the establishment of Congresses is envisaged, the Congresses of People's Deputies.

Article 144. The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic forms the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic - the Government of the Autonomous Republic - the highest executive and administrative body of state power of the Autonomous Republic.

Chapter 19

Article 145 people's deputies.

In the system of local self-government, in addition to local Soviets of People's Deputies, bodies of territorial public self-government, assemblies of citizens, and other forms of direct democracy may act in accordance with the legislation of the republics.

Article 146 make suggestions on them.

Local Soviets of People's Deputies direct state, economic and socio-cultural construction on their territory; approve plans for economic and social development and the local budget; carry out management of state bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations subordinate to them; ensure the observance of laws, the protection of state and public order, the rights of citizens; contribute to strengthening the country's defense capability.

Article 147 Local Soviets of People's Deputies, within the limits of their authority, ensure comprehensive economic and social development on their territory; exercise control over the observance of the legislation by enterprises, institutions and organizations of higher subordination located in this territory; coordinate and control their activities in the field of land use, nature protection, construction, use of labor resources, production of consumer goods, socio-cultural, consumer and other services to the population.

Article 148 Decisions of local Councils are binding on all enterprises, institutions and organizations located on the territory of the Council, as well as officials and citizens.

Article 149. The executive and administrative organs of the local Soviets of People's Deputies are the executive committees or other organs elected by them.

The executive and administrative bodies of local Soviets report at least once a year to the Soviets that elected them, as well as at meetings of labor collectives and at the place of residence of citizens.

Article 150. The executive and administrative organs of local Soviets of People's Deputies are obliged to comply with laws, decrees of the President of the USSR, and other acts of the highest organs of state power and administration of the USSR and the republics, adopted within the limits of their competence.

The executive and administrative bodies of local Soviets are directly accountable both to the Council that elected them, and to the higher executive and administrative body.

VII. Justice and prosecutorial supervision

Chapter 20

Article 151. Justice in the USSR is administered only by the courts.

In the USSR there are the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Supreme Courts of the Union Republics, the Supreme Courts of the Autonomous Republics, the Territorial, Regional, City Courts, the Courts of Autonomous Regions, the Courts of Autonomous Districts, the District (City) People's Courts, and military tribunals in the Armed Forces.

Article 152. All courts in the USSR are formed on the basis of the election of judges and people's assessors, with the exception of judges of military tribunals.

People's judges of district (city) people's courts, judges of territorial, regional and city courts are elected by the respective higher Councils of People's Deputies.

Judges of the Supreme Court of the USSR, the Supreme Courts of the Union and Autonomous Republics, the Courts of Autonomous Regions and Autonomous Districts are elected respectively by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Supreme Soviets of Union and Autonomous Republics, and the Councils of People's Deputies of Autonomous Regions and Autonomous Districts.

People's assessors of district (city) people's courts are elected at meetings of citizens at their place of residence or work by open voting, and people's assessors of higher courts - by the relevant Councils of People's Deputies.

Judges of military tribunals are appointed by the President of the USSR, and people's assessors are elected by meetings of military personnel by open voting.

Judges of all courts are elected for ten years. People's assessors of all courts are elected for a term of five years.

Judges and people's assessors may be recalled in the manner prescribed by law.

Article 153. The Supreme Court of the USSR is the highest judicial body of the USSR and supervises the judicial activity of the courts of the USSR, as well as the courts of the Union republics, within the limits established by law.

The Supreme Court of the USSR consists of the Chairman, his deputies, members and people's assessors. The Supreme Court of the USSR includes ex officio chairmen of the Supreme Courts of the Union republics.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the Supreme Court of the USSR are determined by the Law on the Supreme Court of the USSR.

Article 154 Consideration of civil and criminal cases in all courts is carried out collegially; in the court of first instance - with the participation of people's assessors. People's assessors in the administration of justice enjoy all the rights of a judge.

Article 155 Judges and people's assessors are independent and subject only to the law.

Judges and people's assessors are provided with conditions for the unhindered and effective exercise of their rights and duties. Any interference in the activities of judges and people's assessors in the administration of justice is unacceptable and entails liability under the law.

The immunity of judges and people's assessors, as well as other guarantees of their independence, are established by the Law on the Status of Judges in the USSR and other legislative acts of the USSR and Union republics.

Article 156 Justice in the USSR is administered on the basis of the equality of citizens before the law and the courts.

Article 157. Trial of cases in all courts is open. Hearing cases in a closed session of the court is allowed only in cases established by law, while observing all the rules of legal proceedings.

Article 158. The accused is guaranteed the right to defense.

Article 159 Judicial proceedings are conducted in the language of a Union or Autonomous Republic, an Autonomous Region, an Autonomous Okrug, or in the language of the majority of the population of a given locality. Persons participating in the case who do not speak the language in which the proceedings are conducted shall be provided with the right to fully familiarize themselves with the materials of the case, participate in judicial actions through an interpreter and the right to speak in court in their native language.

Article 160. No one can be found guilty of a crime, and also be subjected to criminal punishment except by a court verdict and in accordance with the law.

Article 161 Bar associations operate to provide legal assistance to citizens and organizations. In cases stipulated by law, legal assistance to citizens is provided free of charge.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the bar are determined by the legislation of the USSR and the union republics.

Article 162 Participation of representatives of public organizations and labor collectives is allowed in legal proceedings in civil and criminal cases.

Article 163. The resolution of economic disputes in the USSR is carried out by the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR and bodies created in the republics in accordance with their laws for the resolution of economic disputes.

Interference of any bodies, organizations and officials in the activities of judges in resolving disputes is not allowed.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the USSR are determined by the law of the USSR.

Chapter 21

Article 164 citizens is carried out by the Prosecutor General of the USSR, the prosecutors of the Union republics and prosecutors subordinate to them.

Article 165. The Prosecutor General of the USSR is responsible to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR and the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and is accountable to them.

Article 166. Prosecutors of the republics are appointed by the highest bodies of state power of the republics in agreement with the Prosecutor General of the USSR and are accountable to them. In the activity of supervising the implementation of the laws of the USSR, the prosecutors of the republics are also subordinate to the Prosecutor General of the USSR.

Article 167. The term of office of the Prosecutor General of the USSR is five years.

Article 168 Prosecution authorities exercise their powers independently of any local authorities.

The organization and procedure for the activities of the bodies of the procurator's office are determined by the legislation of the USSR and the Union republics.

VIII. Coat of arms, flag, anthem and capital of the USSR

Article 169. The state emblem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is an image of a sickle and a hammer against the background of the globe, in the rays of the sun and framed by ears of corn, with an inscription in the languages of the union republics: "Proletarians of all countries, unite!". At the top of the coat of arms is a five-pointed star.

Article 170. The state flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is a red rectangular panel with a picture in its upper corner, near the staff, of a golden hammer and sickle and above them a red five-pointed star framed by a golden border. The ratio of the flag's width to its length is 1:2.

Article 171. The State Anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is approved by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

Article 172. The capital of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is the city of Moscow.

IX. The operation of the Constitution of the USSR and the procedure for changing it

Article 173. The Constitution of the USSR has the highest legal force. All laws and other acts of state bodies are issued on the basis of and in accordance with the Constitution of the USSR.

Article 174 Amending the Constitution of the USSR is carried out by a decision of the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR adopted by a majority of at least two-thirds of the total number of People's Deputies of the USSR.

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