Soim
The Soim was the parliament of the short-lived Republic of Carpatho-Ukraine.[1] The assembly had its seat in Khust.[1]
Background
The establishment of a Soim, an autonomous parliament for the Ruthenian region, had been stipulated in the 11th article of the 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.[2] But the establishment of the autonomous parliament was delayed for many years.[2]
Election
After years of delays election to the Soim was held on February 12, 1939, on the basis of the passing of legislation by the Czechoslovak parliament providing further autonomy for Carpatho-Ukraine on November 22, 1938.[1] 32 members of the Soim were elected from a single constituency.[1] The Ukrainian National Union (UNO) presented a unity list for the vote.[1] According to results published, 244,922 out of 265,002 votes cast (92%) went in favour of the unity list.[3]
Out of the 32 members elected there were 29 Ukrainians, 1 Czech, 1 German and 1 Romanian.[1] The German deputy was Anton Ernst Oldofredi, leader of the German People's Council (DVR).[1]
Session
The Soim met once on March 15, 1939.[1] At the time Hungarian troops were on the offensive in Carpatho-Ukraine and Czecho-Slovak forces were retreating westward.[4] Augustin Stefan served as the speaker of the assembly.[5] Stefan Roscha served as the vice speaker of the assembly.[6]
The assembly, with 22 members present, declared the independence of the Republic of Carpatho-Ukraine.[1] The session ratified the constitution of the Republic of Carpatho-Ukraine, with Ukrainian as the official language and a presidential form of governance.[7] The Soim elected Avgustyn Voloshyn as President of the Republic.[5][7] Yulian Revai was named Prime Minister.[7]
Khust was attacked by Hungarian forces on the same day as the session was held.[4] Carpatho-Ukraine was annexed by Hungary the following day, ending the brief existence of the Republic of Carpatho-Ukraine.[1]
Tragedy of Karpatho-Ukraine
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mads Ole Balling (1991). Von Reval bis Bukarest: Ungarn, Jugoslawien, Rumänien, Slowakei, Karpatenukraine, Kroatien, Memelländischer Landtag, Schlesischer Landtag, komparative Analyse, Quellen und Literatur, Register (in German). Dokumentation Verlag. pp. 671, 673. ISBN 978-87-983829-5-9.
- ^ a b Aldo Dami (1936). Destin des minorités. Sorlont. p. 182.
- ^ Opinion: Official Publication of Ukrainian Canadian Veterans' Association. Vol. 3–5. UCVA. 1947. p. 79.
- ^ a b Paul R. Magocsi (1996). A History of Ukraine. University of Toronto Press. p. 615. ISBN 978-0-8020-7820-9.
- ^ a b The Ukrainian Quarterly. Vol. 34–35. Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. 1978. p. 412.
- ^ Paul R. Magocsi (1973). An Historiographical Guide to Subcarpathian Rusʹ. Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University. p. 247.
- ^ a b c Ivan Katchanovski; Zenon E. Kohut; Bohdan Y. Nebesio (11 July 2013). Historical Dictionary of Ukraine. Scarecrow Press. pp. 69–70. ISBN 978-0-8108-7847-1.
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