Lithuanian election winner promises to bolster defence to counter Russia threat

Social Democrat leader says spending should be no less than party's election manifesto pledge of 3.5% of GDP

Lithuania's opposition Social Democratic party has promised to spend as much money as is needed" on security and defence to counter a potential threat from Russia after it finished a comfortable first in Sunday's parliamentary elections.

Our election manifesto says it should be not less than 3.5% [of GDP], and this is unavoidable," the Social Democrat leader and MEP, Vilija Blinkeviit, said on Monday after her centre-left party won 52 seats in the 141-member parliament.