The Estonian Parliament approved Taavi Rõivas's new Cabinet on Wednesday and the ministers were sworn in and assumed office today, ERR News reports.

After almost three hours in front of the Estonian Parliament answering questions, the new Cabinet was approved by 58 votes, all MPs from the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and IRL. One Social Democrat MP, Jevgeni Ossinovski, abstained. 40 MPs voted against the new government.

Rõivas said in his speech, in which he called the new coalition a “persistent union”, that the biggest challenge in ensuring the sustainability of Estonia is increasing the number of births, an indication that the three-party alliance has embraced a more socially cohesive program, including placing more importance on increasing wages.

Child benefits for the first and second child will be increased to 60 euros, monthly payment from the third child continues to be 100 euros and additionally, families of raising three or more children will get an extra benefit of 200 euros.

The government set the target to increase minimum wage to at least 45 percent of the average wage level within four years and the tax-free income rate will also be increased.

Rõivas also emphasized the security, economic growth and better management of the country, mentioning also Estonia's EU presidency in 2018 as a challenge.

The other objectives include building up and equipping Estonia's eastern border with technical surveillance system, reducing the taxation of labor force, while increasing taxation on unhealthy and environmentally unfriendly goods.

In order to ensure better management of the country, the coalition is planning to introduce local administration reform, aiming at providing better public services on the local government level.