Premier of the Soviet Union

Premier of the Soviet Union
Глава Правительства СССР (Russian)
Longest serving
Alexei Kosygin

15 October 1964 – 23 October 1980
StyleMr. Premier
(informal)
His Excellency
(diplomatic)
TypeHead of government
Reports toSupreme Soviet
ResidenceKremlin Senate, Moscow
AppointerSupreme Soviet
Formation6 July 1923; 101 years ago (1923-07-06)
First holderVladimir Lenin
Final holderIvan Silayev
Abolished26 December 1991; 32 years ago (1991-12-26)
SuccessionPrime Minister of Russia
DeputyFirst Deputy Premier
Deputy Premier

The Premier of the Soviet Union (Russian: Глава Правительства СССР) was the head of government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). From 1923 to 1946, the name of the office was Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, and from 1946 to 1991 its name was Chairman of the Council of Ministers. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, its name was briefly Prime Minister and later Chairman of the Committee on the Operational Management of the Soviet Economy. The first Soviet premier was the country's founder and first leader, Vladimir Lenin. After 1924, when General Secretary of the Communist Party Joseph Stalin rose to power, the de facto leader was the party's General Secretary, with Stalin and his successor Nikita Khrushchev also serving as premier. Twelve individuals held the post.