The Parliament passed Monday the 2013 Budget with 65 votes "in favor" and 4 "against".

The primary goal of next year's budget is to protect the citizens' social stability and to support economic growth with capital investments, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said.

He added that the overall budget registered an increase in almost all sectors, most notably in heathcare and social protection.

The 2013 budget envisages a record level of capital investments - a 10% increase compared to this year as well as several major infrastructural projects "contributing to improving the Macedonian economy."

"With next year's budget, Macedonia is still one of the four least indebted countries in Europe with moderate public debt and a state debt improving the international rating of Macedonia in attracting investments," stated the FinMin.

The Government in November proposed a budget of 148 billion denars with the deficit projected at 3.5 percent of gross domestic product and growth at two percent of GDP.

Opposition MPs didn't attend the session after preventing government deputies to enter the plenary hall.

However, government MPs managed to enter the hall and those of the opposition left the room.

Monday's budget vote was preceded by protests outside the Parliament building - a group of people wanted to voice their revolt due to opposition's attempt to block the budget, while others demonstrated their support to the opposition.

The amended draft budget was adopted late on Sunday by the Government and submitted to the Parliament. Opposition deputies had filed over 1,200 amendments demanding the budget to be cut by 204 million euros.