By Patrick Lannin and Nerijus Adomaitis
VILNIUS (Reuters) - Lithuanians voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election which could signal a comeback for a former impeached president and a Russian-born millionaire, both seen by analysts as pro-Russian.
Lithuania is also holding a referendum to keep open its ageing Soviet-era nuclear power plant, in defiance of its commitment to the European Union to close it at the end of 2009.
Lithuania, aiming for the euro zone by 2011 or 2012, is run by a Social Democrat-led four-party, centre-left government and a new coalition is likely. Polls show no party will get a majority in the 141-seat parliament.
Fears that a global financial crisis could hit the former Soviet state have eroded the Social Democrats' popularity after the coalition presided over growing inflation.
Analysts say this would help disgraced former President Rolandas Paksas, Europe's only leader to be impeached, and Russian-born millionaire Viktor Uspaskich.
The two are criticised by some for being populists, and seen by analysts as broadly pro-Russian, which they deny.
Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas told Reuters he was confident the Social Democrats would play a role in a new coalition, but saw challenges.
"Of course it is not the best time for the election because of the financial crisis. We also have felt some impact, like all countries," he added. Inflation hit 12.5 percent in June before easing to 11 percent in September. He has backed the launch of progressive income taxation, rather than the current flat tax.
Economic growth was a robust 5 percent in the second quarter, but economists expect a rapid slowdown.
COMEBACK LEADERS
The main opposition party, the centre-right Homeland Union, led in polls and wants to lead new coalition talks. It says the Social Democrats have mismanaged the economy and would cut taxes to stimulate growth.
Paksas, a stunt pilot, became Europe's only leader to be impeached in 2004 and sees the election as a chance for his Law and Order Party to change the constitution to end the ban on him becoming prime minister, president or a member of parliament.
He calls for pragmatic relations with Moscow after Lithuania supported Georgia in its war with Russia over the South Ossetia region. He backs a referendum on adopting the euro.
Uspaskich, called the "Gherkin King" after one of his businesses, could also do well. He won the 2004 parliament election, but later fled Lithuania after prosecutors opened a probe into party finances. He returned last year.
The nuclear issue has also come to the fore, risking a row with the EU. The government wants to keep open the Ignalina nuclear plant, of the same design as disaster-hit Chernobyl, as it fears energy shortages and over-reliance on Russian energy.
Lithuania said last week it would keep the plant open to 2012 unless the EU came up with an aid package.
Hoping to wins seats are also a new party led by a TV talent show host, Arunas Valinskas, the Farmers' Party of former Prime Minister Kazimiera Prunskiene and a centre-right liberal group.
On Sunday people vote for party lists, which decide 70 seats, and single-mandate constituencies, deciding 71 seats. Single-mandate run offs come on October 26. Polling began at 7 a.m. (5:00 a.m. British time), ending at 8 p.m. (6:00 p.m. British time).
(Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis and Patrick Lannin; editing by Elizabeth Piper)
