“The main issues of national defence shall be considered and co-ordinated by the State Defence Council, which consists of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Seimas, the Minister of National Defence, and the Commander of the Armed Forces. The State Defence Council shall be headed by the President of the Republic. The procedure for its formation and activities, as well as its powers, shall be established by law. The President of the Republic shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the State. The Government, the Minister of National Defence, and the Commander of the Armed Forces shall be responsible to the Seimas for the administration and command of the armed forces of the State. The Minister of National Defence may not be a serviceman who is not yet retired to the reserve.”
The main issues of national defence are considered and co-ordinated by the State Defence Council, which is headed by the President. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, while the Government, the Minister of National Defence and the Commander of the Armed Forces are responsible to the Seimas for administering and commanding the armed forces. A serviceman who has not retired to the reserve may not be Minister of National Defence.
When a security threat arises, the President convenes the State Defence Council with the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Seimas, the Minister of National Defence and the Commander of the Armed Forces. The defence minister is always a civilian or a retired serviceman.
Memorise all 5 members of the State Defence Council, that the President heads it, and that the President is Commander-in-Chief. Questions also ask who may not be Minister of National Defence.
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