FACTBOX: Main parties in Lithuanian election

(Reuters) - The following is a rundown of the main parties and some of their policies running in a Lithuanian parliamentary election on Sunday.

SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

The party, which transformed itself from the Communist Party which ruled during the Soviet period, also leads the current four-party coalition under Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas.

Though broadly left-leaning in social policy, it has backed a flat income tax and income tax cuts. For the 2008 vote it is campaigning with a vow to introduce progressive taxation.

It was in second place in a recent Baltijos Tyrimai opinion poll and came second in the 2004 election. Analysts say it could have a good chance of again forming a coalition.

Kirkilas has said Lithuania should enter the euro zone in 2011. He has tried unsuccessfully to persuade the European Commission to allow Lithuania to extend the life of its Soviet-era Ignalina nuclear power station, fearing power shortages. The party initiated a referendum, also on October 12, on keeping Ignalina open, to help its case with Brussels.

HOMELAND UNION-CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS

The main center-right and nationalist opposition party, led by former Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius. The party is running in first place in opinion polls, but will not get a majority and will have to hold coalition talks, which political analysts say could be tougher than for the Social Democrats.

He supports Lithuania's entry to the euro zone. He would cut income tax, but impose a land tax and close VAT exemptions.

He would continue talks with the EU on extending Ignalina's lifespan. His party is the one which most raises the issue of Russia as a threat to Lithuania.

LAW AND ORDER PARTY

This is the center-right party of former president Rolandas Paksas, who was impeached in 2004. His party registered third place in the recent opinion poll but it is not clear whether other parties in parliament will work with him.

Though he cannot become prime minister or president under the current constitution, one of his main aims is to restore his name and run for the presidency again.

He is more Russia-friendly than Kubilius, saying that most Lithuanians support pragmatic ties with Moscow. He backs a referendum on Lithuania's adopting the euro.

His party would not close Ignalina, but thinks the European Union would not impose sanctions on Lithuania.

Labor PARTY