This authority lasts for five years, but could be extended by approval through a referendum. Almost all of Thailand's existing political parties have condemned this.
The chairman of the drafting committee Borwornsak Uwanno defended it as a "special tool" essential to ensure a smooth transition. It is a way to prevent future coups, he said.
The new charter also significantly weakens political parties - no surprise then that all the parties are strong critics.
A new electoral system, loosely modelled on Germany's, using a mixed member proportional allocation of seats, will be used to elect the 450 to 470 seat lower house of parliament. Under this system people cast votes for a constituency candidate and for a party.
Three hundred of the seats will be chosen on a first-past-the-post basis. The remainder will be chosen from party lists - but the total number of seats a party can win is capped to a percentage equal to its share of the overall share of the vote.
This may make it harder for one party to win an overall majority, and force the formation of multi-party coalitions.