Boiko Borisov

Exit polls in Bulgaria indicate the centre-right party led by ex-body guard and Mayor of Sofia Boiko Borisov is heading for a significant victory.

His Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) looks set to take 40% of the vote – more than half that of the ruling Socialist Party.

But the BBC’s Europe correspondent says while it will be a remarkable win, it is not enough for GERB to govern alone.

Mr Borisov promised to end corruption and tackle the economic downturn.

It has been Bulgaria’s first election since joining the European Union two years ago.

Last year, Bulgaria lost access to some of its EU funds for failing to deal with graft and organised crime.

The BBC’s Nick Thorpe says Bulgarians have a habit of voting governments out of office, doing so at each general election for the past 19 years.

According to exit polls, Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev’s Socialist Party is trailing far behind, with between 17% and 19% of the vote.

The ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms are placed third with around 12% and the ultra-nationalist Ataka party fourth, with 9%.

The exit polls give around 8% to Mr Borisov’s preferred coalition partner, the Blue Coalition.

A stable governing coalition needs at least 121 seats in the 240 seat parliament.

The first official results are expected early on Monday. – BBC