Nikolai Podgorny

Nikolai Podgorny was a Soviet Communist Party leader who served as Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1965 to 1977.

Leonid Brezhnev: Leonid Brezhnev led the Soviet Union as Communist Party general secretary from 1964 to 1982. Brezhnev shared the top leadership with Podgorny and secured his removal from the presidency.
Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: The presiding office of the Soviet Union’s collective head of state, held by the Presidium’s chair. This was Podgorny’s constitutional office from 1965 until his removal in 1977.
Communist Party of Ukraine: The Communist Party of Ukraine was the ruling republic-level branch of the Soviet Communist Party. Podgorny advanced through its ranks and led the Ukrainian party organization before joining the top Soviet leadership.
1977 Soviet Constitution: The 1977 Soviet Constitution replaced the 1936 constitution and defined the state’s institutions and declared rights. Its adoption coincided with Podgorny’s removal and Brezhnev’s assumption of the state presidency.
Alexei Kosygin: Alexei Kosygin was a Soviet statesman who chaired the Council of Ministers from 1964 to 1980. Kosygin, Brezhnev, and Podgorny formed the ruling troika after Nikita Khrushchev’s ouster.
Presidium of the Supreme Soviet: The standing body of the Soviet Union’s Supreme Soviet, exercising head-of-state functions between sessions. Podgorny chaired this body, whose duties included formal state representation and promulgating laws.
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic: The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a constituent republic of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1991. Podgorny’s major regional posts were based in this republic.
Collective leadership: Collective leadership is governance in which authority is shared among several senior officials rather than concentrated in one leader. Podgorny’s presidency formed part of a leadership arrangement dominated by party bargaining.
Nikita Khrushchev: Nikita Khrushchev led the Soviet Union as Communist Party first secretary and premier until 1964. Podgorny rose through the Ukrainian party leadership during Khrushchev’s years in power.
Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union: The Politburo was the senior policymaking body of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Podgorny’s influence depended on his place in the party leadership, not only his state title.

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Yuri AndropovRelated: Andropov rose as Podgorny’s influence waned in the Brezhnev-era leadership.