Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR

the head of the government of the USSR, that is, of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. Appointed by the Supreme Soviet of the USSR at the first session of each regular convocation, the chairman heads the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of the USSR. He directs all governmental activity, represents the government in relations with all state and public organizations, organizes and supervises the implementation of decrees and directives, and reports back to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the work of the government. Decrees and directives of the government of the USSR are issued under his signature. The supreme soviets of Union and autonomous republics form their own governments, or councils of ministers, headed by the chairmen of the councils of ministers of those republics.