Council of Nationalities


noun

See under Supreme Soviet.

Definition for council of nationalities (2 of 2)

Supreme Soviet

noun

the legislature of the former Soviet Union and its successor states, consisting of an upper house (Soviet of the Union or Council of the Union), whose delegates are elected on the basis of population, and a lower house (Soviet of Nationalities or Council of Nationalities), whose delegates are elected to represent the various nationalities.
Also called Supreme Council.

Origin of Supreme Soviet

translation of Russian Vérkhniĭ sovét

British Dictionary definitions for council of nationalities

Supreme Soviet

noun (in the former Soviet Union)

the bicameral legislature, comprising the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of the Nationalities; officially the highest organ of state power
a similar legislature in each former Soviet republic