Czech billionaire ex-premier Andrej Babis, whose party topped a national vote this weekend, vowed a pro-western course as he started talks on the next government expected no sooner than in November.

Babis's ANO (YES) party won 34.5 percent of the vote, earning 80 seats in the 200-member parliament of the EU and NATO member of 10.9 million people.

A self-proclaimed "Trumpist", Babis campaigned on pledges of welfare and halting military aid to Ukraine, which made pundits worry the country might shift towards EU mavericks Slovakia and Hungary.

Babis said he would seek backing for his government from the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) movement, which earned 7.8 percent for 15 seats, and right-wing newcomers, the Motorists, with 6.8 percent and 13 seats.

Having received Babis

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