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Yugoslavia Federal Assembly
The 1974 Constitution divided the Federal Assembly into two
chambers, the Federal Chamber and the Chamber of Republics and
Provinces
(see
fig. 13). The former contained thirty
representatives from each republic, and twenty from each
province. Representatives were chosen from among delegates
elected by organizations such as communes and institutions at the
lowest level of the system, giving the chamber elements of a
grass-roots constituency. Members of assemblies below the federal
level were not eligible for the Federal Chamber. Voting in the
Federal Chamber was by simple majority, and the chamber
considered all issues where federal authority had an impact on
any local organization. Although originally intended to represent
individuals and local organizations, delegates tended to vote
according to instructions from their respective regional
governments.
The Chamber of Republics and Provinces was elected by the
assemblies of the republics and provinces. It included twelve
delegates from each republic and eight from each province. Voting
was by delegation, and unanimity was required on all
interregional questions. This requirement meant that all eight
political jurisdictions had veto power in any vote. All
interregional issues with federal jurisdiction were considered in
this chamber. Proposals were forwarded to the assemblies of the
republics involved, for formation of the regional position that
would determine the bloc vote of the national delegation.
Data as of December 1990
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