Following a presidential decree on July 25, 2016, the changes made to the structure of the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) have been made public, including the decision to have the top military council take on a more civilian look.
According to Turkish news reports, the YAŞ will have a more civilian structure with less military figures in its council. The council was reformed after a presidential decree was declared on July 25, 2016.
The bylaw regulations of the YAŞ council — not previously published in the Official Gazette — have now been made public. The prime minister will continue to act as the president of the council, with decisions in the meetings taking effect after the president's approval.
Other civilian members of the council will include five deputy prime ministers, the justice minister, foreign minister, interior minister and national defense minister.
In the wake of the July 15 coup attempt, the government has changed the YAŞ's structure, giving more seats to Cabinet ministers and less to the military. Previously, the president, prime minister and defense minister had been among the limited civilian representatives on the council.
The president and prime minister will also have the authority to issue direct orders to commanders without the need for approval from other officials.
"The change and increase of civilian authority in the Supreme Military Council means that in promotions, civilians will be making decisions," Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said after the presidential decree on July 25, 2016.
In the effort to bring the military under further government control following the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) coup bid which saw more than 250 people killed, the commands of the army, navy and air force will answer directly to the Ministry of Defense.
The new YAŞ council members will be able to convey their views in written from when they are absent and decisions will be made through an absolute majority, with the prime minister's vote deciding a tie.
Also, generals and admirals will be given performance evaluations. Decisions made in the council will be printed in written books complete with explanations.