The Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR (Estonian: Eesti NSV Ülemnõukogu) was the highest organ of state authority of the Estonian SSR. Before 1988, the Supreme Soviet had no meaningful political role. After its first democratic elections on 18 March 1990, the institution was renamed the Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia on 8 May 1990.The Estonian name Ülemnõukogu remained the same, but its translation into English is usually changed from this point from "Supreme Soviet" to "Supreme Council", together with the change of the official name of the country.

Organization The structure and formal functions of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR were copied from the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union. The sessions of the Supreme Soviet lasted only several days twice a year and decisions were made unanimously and without much discussion. Supreme Soviet elections were held after every four years until 1978 and were held every five years in 1978–1985. The Supreme Soviet gathered in Tallinn, in the Toompea Castle building which now houses the Riigikogu (as it did in interwar Estonia).

Chairmen of the Supreme Soviet PortraitChairmanFromToVoldemar Sassi25 August 19401941August Kründel5 March 194714 January 1953Joosep Saat5 April 195523 April 1959Harald Ilves23 April 195918 April 1963Vaino Väljas18 April 196320 April 1967Arnold Koop20 April 196718 December 1968Ilmar Vahe18 December 19684 July 1975Johannes Lott4 July 197513 December 1978Jüri Suurhans13 December 19785 July 1982Matti Pedak5 July 198227 March 1985Valde Roosmaa27 March 198518 May 1989Enn-Arno Sillari18 May 198928 March 1990Ülo NugisChairman of the Supreme Council from 8 May 199029 March 19906 October 1992

Presidents of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet The presidium was the permanent body of the Supreme Soviet. Its chairman was the de jure head of state of Estonian SSR.

The chairmen of the presidium were: PresidentFromToNotesJohannes Vares(1890–1946)25 August 194029 November 1946First President of the Presidium of the Supreme SovietEduard Päll(1903–1989)5 March 19474 July 1950August Jakobson(1904–1963)4 July 19504 February 1958Johan Eichfeld(1893–1989)4 February 195812 October 1961Aleksei Müürisepp(1902–1970)12 October 19617 October 1970Artur Vader(1920–1978)22 December 197025 May 1978Johannes Käbin(1905–1999)26 July 19788 April 1983Arnold Rüütel(1928–2024)8 April 198328 March 1990Last President of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet

Convocations

1st convocation (1940–1946) 2nd convocation (1947–1950) 3rd convocation (1951–1954) 4th convocation (1955–1959) 5th convocation (1959–1962) 6th convocation (1963–1966) 7th convocation (1967–1970) 8th convocation (1971–1975) 9th convocation (1975–1979) 10th convocation (1980–1984) 11th convocation (1985–1990) 12th convocation (1990–1992)

See also

Estonian Sovereignty Declaration Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union Riigikogu

Notes

References