Supreme Soviet of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

The Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR (Estonian: Eesti NSV Ülemnõukogu) was the formal rubber stamp legislative body  of the Estonian SSR  without any substantive meaning, which was formally elected in general elections, but whose members were essentially appointed by the leadership of the Communist Party. 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.

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).

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:

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)