North Macedonia Civil Service Exam flashcards

35 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Ohrid Framework Agreement

A 2001 peace agreement that ended the armed conflict and introduced constitutional amendments granting greater rights to ethnic communities, including equitable representation and double-majority voting.

Double majority voting

A voting procedure in the Assembly requiring a majority of all members plus a majority of members from non-majority communities for laws affecting culture, language, education, and local self-government.

Constitutional Court of North Macedonia

A body of nine judges elected by the Assembly for nine-year terms that reviews the conformity of laws with the Constitution and decides on other constitutional matters.

President of North Macedonia

The head of state elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term, limited to two terms, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and represents the country.

Administrative silence

A situation where an administrative body fails to decide on a request within the legally prescribed period, allowing the party to appeal or initiate an administrative dispute.

First-instance administrative decision

A written act of an administrative body containing the operative part, reasons, legal remedy, and signature, deciding on the rights, obligations, or interests of a party.

Appeal deadline in administrative procedure

An appeal against a first-instance administrative decision must be filed within 15 days of delivery, unless a special law provides a different deadline.

Administrative dispute

A judicial proceeding before the Administrative Court challenging the legality of a final administrative act or administrative silence, filed within 30 days.

Civil servant

A person employed in a state administration body who performs professional duties under the Law on Civil Servants, selected through public competition based on merit.

Conflict of interest

A situation where a civil servant's private interest could improperly influence the performance of official duties; it must be reported to the superior.

Civil Servants Agency

A state body responsible for professional training, examination, and career development of civil servants, ensuring professionalism and impartiality in the civil service.

Code of Ethics for Civil Servants

A set of standards of conduct for civil servants, including integrity, respect for citizens, confidentiality, and responsible use of public resources.

Budget of North Macedonia

The annual financial plan adopted by the Assembly for the fiscal year from 1 January to 31 December, authorizing revenues and expenditures of budgetary users.

State Audit Office

An independent body that audits the execution of the budget and the use of public funds by budgetary users and public enterprises, reporting to the Assembly.

Open procedure in public procurement

The default procurement procedure for contracts above EU thresholds, allowing all interested economic operators to submit tenders under transparent and equal conditions.

Public Procurement Bureau

A state body that monitors the application of the Public Procurement Law and maintains the electronic public procurement system, providing guidance and oversight.

Copenhagen criteria

The 1993 EU membership conditions: stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, rule of law, human rights and minority protection; a functioning market economy; and ability to assume membership obligations.

Stabilisation and Association Agreement

A treaty between North Macedonia and the EU, in force since 2004, providing the legal framework for political dialogue, trade, and approximation of laws.

Acquis communautaire

The body of EU law and obligations divided into 35 negotiating chapters, which a candidate country must adopt and implement before accession.

Primacy of EU law

The principle that EU law prevails over conflicting national law within the scope of EU competences, as established by the Court of Justice of the EU.

Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination

An independent body that receives complaints of discrimination, issues opinions and recommendations, and promotes equal treatment under the anti-discrimination law.

Principle of equal opportunities

The requirement to remove barriers and adopt temporary special measures to achieve substantive equality for disadvantaged groups in all areas of public life.

Ombudsman of North Macedonia

The People's Advocate, an independent institution that protects citizens' rights against actions of state administration and other public bodies.

European Convention on Human Rights

An international treaty directly applicable in North Macedonia, protecting fundamental rights and allowing applications to the European Court of Human Rights after domestic remedies.

Hierarchy of legal acts

The order of legal norms in North Macedonia: the Constitution is supreme, followed by laws and ratified international treaties, then secondary legislation.

Teleological interpretation

A method of legal interpretation that seeks the purpose or aim of a legal norm, used to resolve ambiguities in accordance with the legislator's intent.

Analogy in law

The application of a legal norm to a similar case not explicitly regulated; permitted in civil law but prohibited in criminal law and in provisions restricting rights.

Legal relation

A relationship between subjects of law (natural and legal persons) based on legal facts, giving rise to rights and obligations enforceable by the state.

Criminal liability conditions

Under the Criminal Code, an act must be prescribed by law, unlawful, culpable (intent or negligence), and committed by a responsible person to constitute a crime.

Statute of limitations in criminal law

The period after which criminal prosecution or execution of sentence is barred; it depends on the prescribed penalty and does not apply to the most serious crimes.

Valid contract requirements

Under the Law on Obligations, a contract requires capacity of the parties, a lawful and possible subject matter, a lawful basis, and consent free of defects.

Ownership right

The right to possess, use, and dispose of a thing, subject to limitations imposed by law or the rights of others, protected by civil law.

State administration bodies

Ministries, independent bodies, and administrative organizations that perform executive functions and are directed by the Government under the Law on Organization of State Administration.

Local self-government

The right of citizens to manage local affairs through municipalities, which have their own budgets, competences, and statutes, with the City of Skopje as a separate unit.

Public Administration Reform Strategy

A strategic document (2023-2030) setting goals for professionalization, depoliticization, accountability, transparency, and citizen-oriented service delivery, aligned with EU accession.