List of General Secretaries of the Soviet Union
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the top position in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. As the leader of the only legal political party, the General Secretary served as the de facto leader but not necessarily head of government or head of state, although the actual head of government was the Premier. Before Stalin turned the position of General Secretary into the most powerful in the Soviet Union. According 1977 Constitution the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was the President and Chairman of the Council of Minister was the Premier. Lenin led the nation as Premier.