Seventy-nine MPs voted in favor of the bill at the 101-seat chamber; two MPs, Siim Kiisler and Mihhail Stalnuhhin (both independents) voted against it.

The Riigikogu breaks up for Christmas next week meaning, along with the fact that a general election is to be held in March, there has been a slew of bills voted on this week. The state budget in particular must pass ahead of the year to which it pertains.

The 2023 state budget provides for revenues totaling €15.6 billion, and expenses of €16.8 billion, meaning it runs at a deficit.

2023 State Budget quick facts:

• Revenues up €2.2 billion on year.
• Tax burden will be 33.3 percent of GDP.
• Structural deficit to remain at 2.6 percent.
• Defense costs to exceed one billion euros for the first time ever, and will constitute 2.9 percent of GDP (the requirement for NATO membership is 2 percent of GDP – ed.).
• Family allowances to rise by €177.1 million. Allowances for large families to increase, as well as child allowances for the first and second child in the family, plus the allowance for single parents.
• Together with the extraordinary pension increase and indexation, the average old-age pension to rise to €704 per month. The general tax-free income will rise to €654 per month from the start of the year.
• Average old-age pension to be income tax-free from the new year.
• €41.5 million to be added higher education funding, which will rise by an additional 15 percent in each subsequent year.
• €41 million to be contributed to the transition to Estonian-language education annually.
• €243 million in salary increases; the salary funds of teachers, cultural workers and employees responsible for internal security to be boosted by 15 percent.
• Minimum school teacher wage to increase by 36 percent; minimum police officer wage to rise by 17 percent.
• State to support investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy and housing to the tune of €166 million.