Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union was a state body in the Soviet Union elected by the Supreme Soviet. It consisted of a President, 16 Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and 24 other members. The Presidium could not make laws, but it could exercise the following powers:

1. Convene sessions of the Supreme Soviet
2. Interpret laws and issue decrees
3. Dissolve the Supreme Soviet and order new elections
4. Conduct referendums
5. Annul decisions of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR or individual union republics
6. Appoint members of the Council of People's Commissars with approval from the Supreme Soviet
7. Award titles of honor
8. Pardon people convicted of crimes
9. Appoint and remove high-ranking military officers
10. Declare war in the event of a foreign invasion while the Supreme Soviet was not in session
11. Order general or partial mobilization of the military
12. Ratify international treaties
13. Appoint and recall representatives of the USSR to other countries
14. Receive recalls of representatives from foreign countries
15. Proclaim martial law to defend public order and state security