Czechs began voting on Friday in a two-day general election, which the party of self-described "Trumpist" Andrej Babis is expected to top, though without gaining an outright majority, spelling tricky negotiations ahead.

A possible return to power of the billionaire ex-premier could draw the Czech Republic -- an ally of Ukraine -- closer to EU mavericks Hungary and Slovakia and turn relations with both Kyiv and Brussels rocky.

Babis is campaigning in the EU and NATO member of 11 million people on pledges of welfare and halting military aid to Ukraine.

Many voters blame the centre-right coalition government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala for ignoring problems at home while providing aid to Ukraine.

Casting his ballot in the eastern city of Ostrava, Babis labelled the vote as a showdown bet

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