SOFIA - Ever since communism collapsed 20 years ago, Bulgarians have been waiting for a saviour 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 Tsar 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 centre-right GERB party is set to win most votes, opinion polls show.

"I'll vote one last time and give Borisov a chance," said Sofia resident Valentina Borisova, 32. "If he fails too, then there is no hope left for Bulgaria. I'll give up."

The question on everyone's mind is whether Borisov - an ex- bodyguard to late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov and former king Simeon - is capable and determined enough to confront corruption and the underworld.

The rhetoric of the burly 50-year-old so far suggests he is aware of the risks if Sofia fails to produce results.

"The political class has become so cynical and arrogant," Borisov told Reuters in a March interview, sitting at a table near a photo of himself with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "That is why the European Union is disgusted with us."