Lithuania’s centre-right Homeland Union party defeated the ruling Social Democrats in Sunday’s general election but it now has to outbid its rival to win the backing of the Baltic state’s resurgent populist parties.

The Homeland Union of former premier Andrius Kubilius won 19 per cent, well ahead of the Social Democrats of Gediminas Kirkilas, the prime minister, which fell to fourth place on 12 per cent because of rising prices and fear of recession.