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Czech election: Billionaire Babis wins by large margin Czech election: Billionaire Babis wins by large margin
(about 2 hours later)
Populist billionaire candidate Andrej Babis and his party have won the Czech Republic's general election.Populist billionaire candidate Andrej Babis and his party have won the Czech Republic's general election.
Mr Babis, 63, is the country's second-richest man and campaigned on an anti-establishment and Eurosceptic platform.Mr Babis, 63, is the country's second-richest man and campaigned on an anti-establishment and Eurosceptic platform.
Results from more than 98% of polling stations gave his centrist movement ANO (Yes) almost 30% of the vote - nearly three times its closest rival. Results from more than 99.9% of electoral wards gave his centrist movement ANO (Yes) almost 30% of the vote - three times its closest rival.
The centre-right Civic Democrats and the far-right SPD came second and third with a little over 10% each. The centre-right Civic Democrats and the far-right SPD came second and third with more than 10% each.
Turnout was a little over 60%.Turnout was a little over 60%.
Mr Babis is now the main contender to become prime minister after coalition negotiations. Mr Babis is now set to become prime minister after coalition negotiations.
The 63-year-old is estimated to be worth $4bn (£3bn), making him the country's second richest man - but he has also faced numerous scandals including a fraud indictment and accusations he was a communist-era police agent.The 63-year-old is estimated to be worth $4bn (£3bn), making him the country's second richest man - but he has also faced numerous scandals including a fraud indictment and accusations he was a communist-era police agent.
It is not yet clear what the composition of the next government will be. It is not yet clear what the composition of the next government will be. Mr Babis said he will negotiate with all parties.
Its current coalition partner, the ruling centre-left Social Democrats (CSSD), saw its share of the vote tumble to become the sixth-largest party. But ANO's current coalition partner, the ruling centre-left Social Democrats (CSSD), saw its share of the vote tumble to become the sixth-largest party, and has talked down the possibility of another coalition.
Far-right and far-left groups made gains, however. With more than 98% of polling stations reporting, the largest parties now include: The Civic Democrats have also ruled themselves out of governing alongside Mr Babis.
Far-right and far-left groups made gains in the election. The largest parties now include:
The BBC's correspondent in Prague, Rob Cameron, said the SPD's strong performance was particularly noteworthy, as the far-right party wants to ban Islam in the Czech Republic.The BBC's correspondent in Prague, Rob Cameron, said the SPD's strong performance was particularly noteworthy, as the far-right party wants to ban Islam in the Czech Republic.
Liberal, pro-European parties were left massively depleted, he said.Liberal, pro-European parties were left massively depleted, he said.
The country's outgoing leader, Social Democrat Bohuslav Sobotka, headed a coalition formed with Mr Babis's party after a 2013 snap election.The country's outgoing leader, Social Democrat Bohuslav Sobotka, headed a coalition formed with Mr Babis's party after a 2013 snap election.
But in May, Mr Sobotka submitted his government's resignation because of a disagreement with Andrej Babis, who was serving as finance minister at the time.But in May, Mr Sobotka submitted his government's resignation because of a disagreement with Andrej Babis, who was serving as finance minister at the time.
He was unhappy about alleged unexplained business dealings involving Mr Babis.He was unhappy about alleged unexplained business dealings involving Mr Babis.
Speaking after the results emerged, Mr Babis said his ANO party was pro-European, despite his opposition to joining the eurozone, Reuters news agency reported.
He also said the EU should reflect on Britain's decision to leave the union.