Weary Bulgarians hope ex-bodyguard can clear graft

SOFIA (Reuters) - Ever since communism collapsed 20 years ago, Bulgarians have been waiting for a savior to rid the country of its plagues: corruption, nepotism and impunity for the powerful of the day.

The return of ex-king Simeon Saxe-Coburg as prime minister between 2001 and 2005 -- the only living person to have borne the title Czar who spent most of his life in exile -- failed to inspire deep change in a society steeped in nihilism and disillusionment.

Joining the European Union in 2007 has also failed to strengthen the rule of law. Nostalgia for the communist past is growing and a survey by Gallup rated Bulgaria among the world's most pessimistic nations along with Zimbabwe, Haiti and Egypt.

Days before the July 5 parliamentary election, hopes are now pinned on a bodyguard-turned-politician with cropped hair, a karate black belt and the epaulettes of a general.

Boiko Borisov, Sofia's straight-talking mayor, has shot to fame on promises to clean up the Balkan country's image and put corrupt officials and crime bosses behind bars. His center-right GERB party is set to win most votes, opinion polls show.

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