ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the Supreme Soviet, its Presidium, and the Council of Ministers and the administrative system. The function of the Supreme Soviet is not to deliberate over issues but to serve as a ceremonial forum where the regime can announce its programs. The Supreme Soviet is a legitimizing body whose powers, in practice, are delegated to other agencies. The right to complain about the actions of officials or agencies of the government is protected by article 58 of the 1977 constitution, although no such right was mentioned in the constitution of 1936. Union-republic ministries and their subordinate agencies follow the principle of dual subordination. According to this principle, a republic ministry is accountable to both the republic government and the counterpart ministry in the central government. The chairman of the council is legally the head of government, or premier. The council includes officials who run the familiar departments of modern government: finance, foreign affairs, and defense.
