© EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA The OPECST is an unusual structure within Parliament: its members, who are appointed so as to ensure proportional representation of the political groups, belong both to the National Assembly and to the Senate. It is composed of eighteen MPs and eighteen Senators; each member may be appointed as a rapporteur. A rapporteur is an MP or a Senator in charge of writing a report on a given subject.
The OPECST is chaired alternately for a period of three years, by a member of either assembly. Internal rules stipulate that the First Vice-President shall belong to the other Assembly.
The OPECST acts as an intermediary between the political world and the world of research. It must listen to researchers and requests authorized opinions. In order to carry out its task, the OPECST is assisted by a Scientific Council reflecting the diversity of scientific and technological disciplines in its very composition, as it is made up of twenty- four leading figures selected on account of their expertise.
Chapter Organisation - all countries
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| © EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA |