Bulgarians cast their votes in a parliamentary election on Sunday with hopes of initiating reforms to address widespread corruption and revive an economy that has suffered from the global crisis. Opinion polls suggest that the current Socialist party-led coalition government is likely to lose due to the recession and a culture of impunity for criminals and politicians, which has earned Bulgaria a negative reputation within the European Union. Last year, Bulgaria was punished by losing access to over 500 million euros in EU aid due to corruption. If the polls are accurate, the center-right opposition party led by Sofia Mayor Boiko Borisov, GERB, may have the opportunity to form a new government, possibly through another coalition. Borisov, a former bodyguard turned politician, has vowed to crack down on crime, but there are concerns about his ability to implement reforms effectively in a coalition government. According to pollsters, 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 urgently needs change and that corrupt politicians are no longer wanted. Borisov, known for his straightforward nature and nicknamed Batman for his proactive approach, has gained popularity among Bulgarians who are weary of two decades of sluggish reforms. "I voted for Boiko because he is the only person who can speak out against what is wrong and right, and actually act on it," explained Maria Nikolova, 50, in Sofia. The new government needs to act quickly to avoid EU sanctions on aid, which are crucial for Bulgaria's struggling economy, and to attract investors who have left this year. It is uncertain if GERB will have enough votes for a strong majority in the 240-seat chamber, even with their planned coalition partners, the Blue Coalition. Despite the current government's accomplishments of joining the EU, lowering taxes, and maintaining fiscal discipline, critics argue that it has been ineffective and unwilling to break ties between politicians, judges, and criminal leaders. Highlighting the severity of the issue, prosecutors have initiated inquiries into widespread accusations of vote-buying by nearly all political parties ahead of the election, leading to the arrest of at least five individuals on Saturday. Concerns have also been raised by EU nations regarding the involvement of several suspected criminals who registered to run for parliament last month in order to gain temporary immunity from prosecution and release from custody. Bulgaria, impacted by the global financial crisis, has entered a recession following 12 years of economic growth, resulting in significant public demonstrations. The increase in unemployment is putting an end to years of high private consumption which has led to a substantial amount of debt. The economy is projected to contract by 2 percent in 2009, prompting speculation that Bulgaria, along with other former Soviet bloc countries now part of the EU, may request assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Voting commenced at 6 a.m. (11 p.m. EDT on Sunday) and will conclude at 7 p.m., with exit polls expected shortly thereafter. By 6 a.m. EDT, voter turnout stood at 29.3 percent.