presidium

 
Pronunciation: /prɪˈsɪdɪʌm, -ˈzɪ-/
(also praesidium)

noun

  • a standing executive committee in a communist country.
  • (Presidium) (in the former Soviet Union) the committee which functioned as the legislative authority when the Supreme Soviet was not sitting.

Origin:

1920s: from Russian prezidium, from Latin praesidium 'protection, garrison' (see preside)