Economic fears see Lithuanian opposition set for election win

LITHUANIA'S main centre-right opposition looks set to win the country's parliamentary election and a new party headed by a TV talent show host is a surprise second.

The vote took place amid anger over inflation and fears the once high flying economy would slide in the global financial crisis.

A newly assertive Russia has also been a focus of concern for some in the former Soviet republic.

With ballots counted from nearly all the polling stations in Sunday's election, the opposition centre-right Homeland Union Party led with 18.51 percent of the vote for party lists and in 25 of 71 single mandate areas.

Homeland Union's leader, former Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, said he was ready to work with most other parties but analysts say he will have a hard time forming a coalition from the disparate groupings, most of which are broadly left-leaning.

A second run-off for single mandate constituencies is due on October 26, after which the parliament line-up will be clear.

The National Resurrection Party of Arunas Valinskas, who hosts an Pop Idol-style talent show and entered politics just a few months ago, produced the surprise of the election in second place with 14.7 percent of votes.