Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 155 (1958).djvu/678

662 (i) Exercises the right of mercy;

(k) Decides cases which come under its authority in virtue of any special law.

(2) The Presidium of the People’s Republic may annul or amend any legal decision or measure adopted by any State or local authority which is liable to infringe the Constitution or gravely endanger the interests of the working people.

(3) The Presidium of the People’s Republic may dissolve any local body or State organ whose activities are opposed to the Constitution or gravely endanger the interests of the people.

(4) When the National Assembly is not in session, its legal functions are carried out by the Presidium of the People's Republic, which cannot, however, alter the Constitution.

(5) Legal measures authorised by the Presidium of the People’s Republic are decrees with the force of law. They must be submitted to the next meeting of the National Assembly.

(6) Every decision and measure adopted by the Presidium of the People’s Republic is signed by the President and by the Secretary. Its decrees are published in the Official Gazette.

21.—(1) The mandate of the Presidium of the People’s Republic expires when the National Assembly elects a fresh Presidium,

(2) The Presidium of the People’s Republic is responsible to the National Assembly and is obliged to report to it on its activities.

(3) The National Assembly is entitled to dismiss the Presidium of the People’s Republic or any of its members.

(4) The presence of nine members of the Presidium in addition to the President and the Secretary is needed for the validity of its acts.

(5) The Presidium decides upon its own programme and presents this to the National Assembly.

22. The highest executive and administrative organ of State Authority is the Council of Ministers of the Hungarian People’s Republic.

23.—(1) The Council of Ministers consists of:—

(a) The Chairman of the Council of Ministers;

(b) The Vice-Chairman or Vice-Chairmen;