The National Resurrection Party led by Arunas Valinskas, who hosts an "American Idol" style talent show came in a suprising second place with 14.7 percent of votes on Oct. 12. AP VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuania's main centre-right opposition took a slim lead in a parliamentary election and a new party headed by a TV talent show host was a surprise second, heralding tough coalition talks, early results showed on Monday.

The vote took place amid anger over double digit 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.

"All the ruling parties were punished and the opposition and new forces were preferred by the voters," said Virgis Valentinavicius, editor-in-chief of news portal Alfa.lt.

With ballots counted in about half of the 2,034 polling stations in Sunday's election, the opposition centre-right Homeland Union Party was leading with 16.44 percent of the vote for party lists and in 20 of 71 single mandate areas.

The Homeland Union, led by former Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius, is a traditional tax-cutting conservative party but it also says the budget deficit could rise. The party is the one which most raises the issue of Russia as a threat to Lithuania.

The ruling Social Democrats were in fourth place in party lists, but second in single mandate areas. They were ahead of the Labour Party of Russian-born millionaire Viktor Uspaskich, nicknamed the "Gherkin King" after one of his businesses.

Party lists are for 70 seats in the 141-member parliament. A second round run-off for single mandate areas will be held on Oct. 26, so final party line-ups will be known only then.

The National Resurrection Party of Arunas Valinskas, who hosts an "American 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 for party lists.

PAKSAS SETBACK

This pushed the Law and Order party of former President Rolandas Paksas, who in 2004 became Europe's only leader to be impeached and removed from office, into third place on 14 percent.

Both parties were making little or no impact in single mandate areas.

Paksas, who backs a tougher stance towards the EU and more friendly ties with Russia, was hoping the election would mark a strong comeback to politics for him after the 2004 impeachment, which he calls a coup.

He was impeached for favouring a Russian businessman who was his aide, leading to allegations of being pro-Russian, which he denies.

Though banned from becoming president, prime minister or a member of parliament, he hopes to change the constitution so he can run for president again and overturn the impeachment.

Valinskas's party envisages what it calls a more honest state where people would live better under a well-run government. One of its slogans said: "The ship is sinking, at least with us it will be more fun."

A referendum on extending the life of the Soviet-era Ignalina nuclear plant was also held Sunday, despite EU demands that it should be closed by the end of 2009.

It was not clear if turnout, near 50 percent, was enough to make the referendum valid.