Bulgarians cast their votes in a parliamentary election on Sunday in hopes of jumpstarting reforms to address corruption and revive an economy suffering from the global crisis. Polls suggest that the Socialist party in power is likely to lose due to the country's recession and a culture of impunity for criminals and politicians, leading to Bulgaria being considered the EU's problem child. The center-right opposition party led by Sofia Mayor Boiko Borisov is expected to have a chance at forming a new government, potentially through a coalition. Borisov, a former bodyguard turned politician, has pledged to crack down on crime, but concerns remain about his ability to implement reforms in a coalition government. Pollsters say that his party currently receives around 30 percent of the vote, while the ruling Socialists receive about 20 percent. Former teacher Pepa Kozhuharova, 64, expressed her frustration with the government as she voted in a Sofia neighborhood, stating that the country is in need of change and that corrupt politicians are no longer wanted. Borisov, known for his straightforward approach and nicknamed Batman for his proactive nature, has garnered support from many Bulgarians who are tired of the slow reforms of the past two decades. Maria Nikolova, age 50, explained that she supported Boiko because he is the only man who can clearly identify what is right and wrong and take action on it. She emphasized the urgent need for a new government in Sofia to prevent new EU sanctions, secure aid for Bulgaria's struggling economy, and attract investors who have left the country. There is uncertainty about whether GERB will have enough votes for a stable majority in the 240-seat chamber, even with their planned coalition partners from the Blue Coalition. The current government, while successful in leading Bulgaria into the EU, cutting taxes, and maintaining fiscal discipline, has been criticized for being inefficient and failing to address corruption within the government. Prosecutors are investigating widespread claims of vote-buying by all parties before the election, resulting in the arrest of at least five individuals. EU countries are concerned about suspected criminals running for parliament to avoid prosecution and jail time. Bulgaria, hit hard by the financial crisis, is now in recession after years of growth, leading to mass protests. Unemployment is rising and private spending is decreasing, causing a significant amount of debt. The economy is expected to shrink by 2 percent in 2009, and Bulgaria may seek aid from the International Monetary Fund, according to analysts. Voting began at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT on Sunday) and will conclude at 7 p.m., followed by the release of exit polls. By 6 a.m. EDT, the turnout was recorded at 29.3 percent.