Bulgarians to back govt in European vote

SOFIA, May 20 (Reuters) Bulgarians appear ready to back the ruling Socialist party in their first elections to the European Parliament today, but turnout is expected to be low because of disenchantment over rampant corruption.

Polls show the Socialist party of Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev may win a third of the vote, capturing as many as seven of Bulgaria's 18 seats in the EU assembly.

The election comes after Bulgaria and larger neighbour Romania joined the European Union in January.

An expected low turnout underlines frustration among voters in former communist Bulgaria where living standards remain poor, despite strong economic growth, and crime bosses and corrupt officials still enjoy a climate of impunity.

The coalition is caught up in a graft scandal involving the economy minister and the country's top investigator.

How the government and judiciary handle the scandal is regarded as a litmus test of its willingness to root out abuse.

Polling stations open at 6 am local time and the first exit polls will come out after voting ends at 7 pm.

Among coalition parties, polls show the centrist NMS party of former king Simeon Saxe-Coburg bearing the brunt of voter disappointment.

The Socialists and the third coalition partner, the ethnic Turkish MRF party, are likely to escape unscathed, due to a traditionally loyal voter base. MRF could win three or four seats and the NMS one or two.

Another five may go to a new rightist group, the GERB party of maverick Sofia mayor Boiko Borisov, which campaigns on promises to fight corruption and help business.

Right-wing parties which led Bulgaria's transition from communism look set to get no more than one seat.

Bulgaria joined the EU in January after a late flurry of reforms of its communist-era judiciary and state institutions.

But it still has to prove it is serious about fighting crime to avoid sanctions, possibly soon after a June 27 progress report from Brussels.

EU diplomats say member states are increasingly concerned, with some going as far as to say the Black Sea state, and its larger northern neighbour Romania, were admitted too early.

Bulgarian courts have not sentenced anybody for more than 150 mafia-style murders since 2001. Police have not detained or accused any suspects for two killings earlier this month of a high-level municipal official and an owner of a premier league soccer club.

Reuters KK VP0450