State Council of the Polish People's Republic

The Council of State of the Republic of Poland (Polish: Rada Państwa) was introduced by the Small Constitution of 1947 as an organ of executive power.

The Council of State had the power to approve decrees issued by the Council of Ministers, exercise supreme control over the local national councils, approve promulgation of laws concerning the budget and military draft, declare a state of emergency and martial law, initiate legislation, and others.

According to Article 29 of the constitution, the Council of State consisted of seventeen people: the chairman, four deputy chairmen, the secretary, and eleven other members.

Some of its other constitutional functions were:[4][8] When the Sejm was not in session (in practice, for most of the year), the Council of State had the power to issue decrees that had the force of law.

The Council of State institution was eliminated on 19 July 1989 by a constitutional amendment.