Estonian parlt speaker's pay was EUR 62,400 in 2012

Photo: Liis Treimann / Postimees

The salary paid to Estonian parliamentary speaker Ene Ergma during 2012 was 62,400 euros, information made available by the Riigikogu on Thursday shows.

The other top salary earners among members of the parliament were the chairman of the European affairs committee Arto Aas, who was paid 51,381 euros, chairman of the select committee for the application of the Anti-Corruption Act Andres Anvelt, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the select committee for supervision over security agencies Peep Aru, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the culture committee Urmas Klaas, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the rural life committee Kalvi Kõva, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the foreign affairs committee Marko Mihkelson, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the Social Democrat parliamentary group Sven Mikser, who was paid 51,886 euros, chairman of the national defense committee Mati Raidma, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the legal committee Marko Pomerants, who was paid 53,040 euros, deputy speaker Laine Randjärv, who was paid 53,040 euros, deputy speaker Juri Ratas, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the finance committee Sven Sester, who was paid 52,217 euros, chairman of the Center Party group Kadri Simson, who was paid 53,040 euros, chairman of the state budget select committee Mihhail Stalnuhhin, who received 53,040 euros, chairman of the Reform Party group Jaanus Tamkivi, who received 53,040 euros, and chairman of the social affairs committee Margus Tsahkna, who received 52,893 euros.

The Salaries of Higher State Officials Act adopted by the parliament at the end of 2009 unpegged the pay of MPs and senior state officials from the national average wage and introduced a reference salary of 5,200 euros as well as different indexes. The index by which the reference salary is multiplied is 1.0 in the case of the president, the speaker of the parliament, the prime minister and the chairman of the Supreme Court.

The index is 0.85 in the case of parliamentary deputy speakers, the head of the State Audit Office, the chancellor of justice, members of the Supreme Court, ministers, the state secretary, heads of parliamentary committees and party groups, as well as the commander of the defense forces.

For deputy heads of parliamentary committees and party groups the index is 0.75, whereas for ordinary members of the Riigikogu it is 0.65.

Besides members of the Riigikogu can draw expenses in the amount of 30 percent of the salary of a rank and file MP, or up to 1,014 euros a month or 12,168 euros a year.