Derry Sinn Fein representative Martina Anderson will be one of ten candidates contesting next month’s European election.
The outgoing Sinn Fein representative has been an MEP (member European Parliament) since May 2012 when she replaced her party colleague Bairbre de Brun who stepped down for personal reasons.
Nominations for the 22 May poll – taking place on the same day as the local government elections – closed earlier today and the 52-year-old Derry woman will be joined by Jim Allister of TUV; Alex Attwood of the SDLP; Mark Brotherston of the Conservative Party; Ross Brown of the Green Party NI; Diane Dodds of the DUP; Anna Lo of the Alliance Party; Tina McKenzie of NI21; Jim Nicholson of the UUP, and Henry Reilly of UKIP.
Sinn Fein topped the last European poll held in 2009 when seven candidates vied for the three seats.
Sinn Fein MEP speaking in the European Parliament.
Speaking ahead of handing in her nomindation, Ms Anderson said the forthcoming election is an “important one.”
She said she believed Ireland’s place, North and South, was in Europe and Sinn Féin’s role in the EU was to “Put Ireland First.”
She added: “By electing a strong team across Ireland we can take a strong voice to Europe.
“Sinn Féin is the only party on this island to be standing candidates in every single constituency. Our team will, if elected provide a united and positive voice for all the citizens of Ireland.”
Ms Anderson concluded: “I am an Irish republican. I want to see an end to partition and a genuine process of reconciliation based on equality and tolerance, an end to the failed polices of austerity, the implementation of an all-Ireland economic recovery programme, – united we are stronger.”
