The new structure is administered by a Metropolitan Council of 210 members, not directly elected, but chosen by the councils of the member Communes. By 2020 its basic competencies will include urban planning, housing, and protection of the environment. The first president of the metropolitan council, Patrick Ollier, a Republican and the mayor of the town of Rueil-Malmaison, was elected on January 22, 2016. Though the Metropole has a population of nearly seven million persons and accounts for 25 percent of the GDP of France, it has a very small budget; just 65 million Euros, compared with eight billion Euros for the City of Paris. COUNT 5
QSN1 How many members are in the Metropolitan Council? ANS1 210 QSN2 Who was the first president of the metropolitan council? ANS2 Patrick Ollier QSN3 What town was Patrick Ollier a mayor of? ANS3 Rueil-Malmaison QSN4 What party does Patrick Ollier associate with? ANS4 Republican QSN5 What is the budget for Metropole? ANS5 65 million Euros