THE SDLP has nominated North Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness as its candidate in next year's European Parliament elections.
A party source said last night the early nomination was aimed at reclaiming electoral ground lost to Sinn Féin at the last Euro election when the seat held by former leader John Hume was won by Sinn Féin's Bairbre de Brún.
Speaking after his selection as a special party meeting in Belfast at the weekend, Mr Maginness said he was confident of a good result.
"The SDLP has shown total commitment to the European ideal over many, many years," he said.
"We are the leading pro-European party and a member of the Party of European Socialists, which is one of the most powerful groups in the European Parliament and may well be the most powerful group in the European Parliament in 2009," he said. Mr Maginness was the only candidate and was selected unanimously.