Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire

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Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire

Совет министров Российской империи
Agency overview
Formed	October 19, 1905 (1905-10-19)
Preceding agency	Committee of Ministers
Dissolved	February 27, 1917
Superseding agency	Provisional Government
Jurisdiction	Russian Empire
Agency executives	Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sergei Witte (first) Prince Georgy Lvov (last)

The Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire was the highest executive authority of the Russian Empire, created in a new form by the highest decree of October 19, 1905 for the general "management and unification of the actions of the chief heads of departments on subjects of both legislation and higher state administration". The ministers ceased to be separate officials, responsible to the emperor, each only for their actions and orders.

Earlier, in 1861, there was a body with the same name, chaired by the emperor, along with the Committee of Ministers. It considered cases that required not only the approval of the emperor, but also his personal presence in discussing them. The meetings were not regular and were appointed each time by the emperor.

After the February Revolution of 1917, it was replaced by the Provisional Government.