Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan has been selected as the SDLP's candidate for the forthcoming European Parliamentary election.
Mr Morgan won on the third count at a party selection meeting in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
His nearest rival was Sean Farren, the former finance minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly, while Alban Maginness, Denis Haughey and Joe Byrne also lost out.
Mr Morgan's nomination followed the retirement of former SDLP leader and sitting MEP John Hume.
The north Belfast councillor said he was proud to be selected to represent his party in June's election.
"I am honoured to be tasked with continuing the work of Ireland's greatest European, John Hume, and I'm proud to represent the north's strongest European party, the SDLP, at this election," he said.
Mr Hume, 67, had held a seat in the European Parliament for the SDLP since 1979 and had been Foyle MP since the constituency was created in 1983.
He announced in February that he would not contest his Westminster or European seats.