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Soviet Union [USSR] Amendments to the 1977 Constitution
In October 1988, draft amendments and additions to the 1977
Constitution were published in the Soviet media for public
discussion. Following the public review process, the Supreme Soviet
adopted the amendments and additions in December 1988. The
amendments and additions substantially and fundamentally changed
the electoral and political systems. Although Soviet officials
touted the changes as a return to "Leninist" forms and functions,
citing that the Congress of People's Deputies had antecedents in
the
Congress of Soviets (see Glossary), they were unprecedented in
many respects
(see Soviet Union USSR - Central Government
, this ch.). The position of
chairman of the Supreme Soviet was formally designated and given
specific powers, particularly leadership over the legislative
agenda, the ability to issue orders (rasporiazheniia), and
formal power to conduct negotiations and sign treaties with foreign
governments and international organizations. The Constitutional
Oversight Committee, composed of people who were not in the
Congress of People's Deputies, was established and given formal
power to review the constitutionality of laws and normative acts of
the central and republic governments and to suggest their
suspension and repeal. The electoral process was constitutionally
opened up to multiple candidacies, although not multiple-party
candidacies. A legislative body--the Supreme Soviet--was to convene
for regular spring and fall sessions, each lasting three to four
months. Unlike the old Supreme Soviet, however, the new Supreme
Soviet was indirectly elected by the population, being elected from
among the members of the Congress of People's Deputies.
Data as of May 1989
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