General Knowledge of Public Life
Scope
This domain covers the institutions of the Bulgarian state (National Assembly, President, Council of Ministers, ministries, agencies, courts, prosecution, Ombudsman, National Audit Office), their competences, and the framework of the European Union (institutions, treaties, Bulgaria's membership since 2007, the euro area accession, the Schengen area) together with international organisations relevant to public administration. Learn the basic structure of the EU: European Commission, Council of the EU, European Parliament, Court of Justice, European Central Bank; the difference between regulations and directives; and the principle of subsidiarity. Know the main current topics affecting public administration: digitalisation, anti-corruption policy, the Recovery and Resilience Plan, and civil-service reform. Follow reliable official sources rather than social media.
Traps
Questions confuse the Council of the EU with the European Council, or the Commission's role with the Parliament's. Watch for dates of accession and for the distinction between an EU regulation (directly applicable) and a directive (to be transposed).
Worked example
A question asks which EU body has the right of legislative initiative. The answer is the European Commission, not the Parliament or the Council.
Rule of thumb
For each institution, memorise: composition, main function, and one distinctive power.