In practice, however, it was a toy parliament which did nothing other than ratify decisions already made by the USSR's executive organs and the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) – always by unanimous consent[3] – and listen to the General Secretary's speeches.

Often, the CPSU bypassed the Supreme Soviet altogether and had major laws enacted as Presidium decrees.

In practice, however, the principle of democratic centralism rendered the process of ratifying Presidium decrees a mere formality.

[7] In 1989, its powers were: Acts by the Supreme Soviet entered into force after signature by the President and publication.

Between 1938 and February 1990, more than 50 years, only 80 laws were passed by the Supreme Soviet, less than 1% of total legislative acts.