The People's Council of Turkmenistan (, [xɑlq mɑθlɑxɑt̪ɯ]; "People's Council") is Turkmenistan's independent "representative body" exerting supreme constitutional authority. It includes in its membership, but is not considered part of, the legislature. Inter alia it is empowered to amend the constitution. Its chairperson is appointed by the president and is designated the "National Leader". State media referred to the People's Council as the "supreme organ of government authority". From 2018 to 2023 it was the upper chamber of Turkmenistan's Parliament, the "National Council" (). Composition As of 22 January 2023 the full membership and size of the People's Council were unclear, but Turkmen state media declared it would include "representatives of state organs, society, regions, including wise elders, youth being the country's future." According to official state media, the People's Council will include:• its chairperson• the president of Turkmenistan• speaker of the Assembly of Turkmenistan• chairperson of the Supreme Court• secretary of the State Security Council• deputies of the Assembly• members of the Cabinet of Ministers• Ombudsman• Prosecutor General• Minister of Justice• Governors of provinces and districts, and mayors {häkim) of cities• Chairpersons of people's councils of provinces, districts, and cities• Chairpersons (arçyn) of councils of cities and towns that are district capitals• Heads of political parties, labour unions, and other societal organisations• Representatives of society, including elders proposed by the people's councils of provinces and the city of Ashgabat. By law the president of Turkmenistan chairs the council in the event of incapacitation of the chairperson. The former deputy chairperson was identified in Turkmen state media as chief of staff () in February 2023. Authority The law governing the People's Council stipulates that it will1) review and approve proposals on issues on adoption of the Constitution or Constitutional laws of Turkmenistan, their amendment and augmentation; 2) review and approve basic directions of domestic and foreign policy of the state, as well as programs and laws on the political, economic, social, and cultural development of the country; 3) hear annual addresses of the President of Turkmenistan; 4) review issues of peace and security; 5) fulfill the right of legislative initiative; 6) fulfill any other authorities foreseen in Turkmen law. History The Halk Maslahaty was originally the highest representative body in Turkmenistan (Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution). It was abolished in the new constitution of 2008. The original council had 2,507 members, some of whom were elected. All candidates at