The DUP has selected Mr Jim Allister QC to defend the European Parliament seat held by the Rev Ian Paisley since 1979.
The party executive, meeting on Tuesday night, opted for Mr Allister over three other candidates including party chairman, Mr Maurice Morrow; Newry and Armagh Assembly member, Mr Paul Berry; and the Mid-Ulster Assembly member the Rev William McCrea.
Mr Allister left representative politics in 1987 after the party decided not to contest the East Antrim Westminster seat in that year's general election. He has since pursued a successful legal career.
Mr Allister said the European contest afforded an opportunity to work for the best possible deal for all of Northern Ireland from Europe.
"However, the European seat affords an opportunity to make a contribution on a province-wide scale which may assist in the ongoing determined efforts to secure a fairer and better deal for all our futures."
He said he sensed greater unionist confidence following November's Assembly election and hoped that some apathetic unionists would consider voting DUP for the first time.
A professed Euro-sceptic and opponent of the single currency, Mr Allister said: "Much of the hype of the Europhiles is demonstrably ill-founded. Even the much trumpeted single currency has proved an economic drag for many participants. The economy of the Republic is a case in point," he said.
"Since joining the euro zone, Dublin's economy has faltered with runaway prices. Where now the Celtic Tiger?" He vowed to oppose "British abandonment of the pound" and entry to the single currency.
On the question of the accession countries due to join the union on May 1st, he said: "The enlargement of Europe will move the axis of grant aid towards those new impoverished states so that the age of easy grants for Northern Ireland will pass and an MEP will have to fight harder than ever to deliver for his region."
The Ulster Unionists will put forward sitting MEP Mr Jim Nicholson.
The SDLP heard opening appeals for nomination from nine hopefuls at a closed session of its party conference at the weekend. The conference has adjourned and will reconvene in Cookstown, Co Tyrone on Saturday March 6th.
The nine include senior negotiator, Dr Seán Farren; North Belfast Assembly member, Mr Alban Maginness; defeated Assembly candidates Mr Donovan McClelland, Mr Joe Byrne, Mr Denis Haughey and Mr Danny O'Connor; party chair Ms Patricia Lewsley; Belfast Lord Mayor, Mr Martin Morgan; and Newry businessman Mr Gerard O'Hare.