Tactical voting could secure nationalists two seats in the forth coming European elections in the North, according to the Sinn Fein chairman and party candidate, Mr Mitchel McLaughlin, with a possible splintering in the unionist vote offering "a unique opportunity".
The two nationalist candidates, the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, and Mr McLaughlin, opened their campaigns in Belfast yesterday as the countdown began to the June 10th poll.
Job creation, inward investment and economic development were the central issues highlighted by Mr Hume, one of the three incumbent MEPs for Northern Ireland, when he presented his manifesto to a gathering at the Waterfront Hall.
A "clear-cut" focus on economic development and employment was contained in the SDLP document which pledges to "Put People First".
"For Northern Ireland to develop into a strong economy, ready to face the challenges a more peaceful and stable society will bring, we need a creative and forward-looking approach to job creation to expand employment opportunities, to assist the unemployed and to provide training for the under-skilled," Mr Hume said.
Responding to speculation that he might top the poll this year due to a possible fracturing of the unionist vote, Mr Hume said he aimed to "maximise votes".
He stressed that anybody using the European election as a rerun of the Belfast Agreement was "insulting the intelligence" of the people. The election was about one thing, electing representation for Northern Ireland in Europe.
The SDLP joins the socialist grouping in Europe, the largest in the parliament with 216 votes and 11 prime ministers in government throughout Europe. "That gives us very strong and powerful influence at the highest level of the Council of Ministers as well as parliamentary and commission level," Mr Hume said.
He said the SDLP was the one party in the North that had consistently taken Europe seriously by building special links across Europe to give the party the necessary influence to ensure maximum assistance for the region.
The people in the North now fully realised the value of Europe, according to Mr Hume.
Mr McLaughlin placed emphasis on the advancement of democracy and economic social justice at the launch of his candidature yesterday.
Defending Irish sovereignty was a pivotal policy area highlighted by the Sinn Fein chairman, in addition to reform and restructuring of the EU.
"This election comes at a crucial time in the search for lasting peace and the development of Ireland's relationship with the rest of Europe. Sinn Fein wants to see a Europe that is representative of its people. We want to see Europe defending our democratic rights, not eroding them."
He said members of Sinn Fein were confident the party could win its first seat in the European Parliament in next month's election.
A "relaxation" among SDLP voters in recent years to the idea of transferring their votes to Sinn Fein could lead to a maximisation of the nationalist vote. Nationalist voting tactically would secure the third seat, said Mr McLaughlin.
"I don't think it's is a question of John Hume necessarily having to give up his ambition to top the poll over Ian Paisley. I think that the nationalist electorate is more intelligent than just to think in those terms," he said.
The chance now open to Sinn Fein was an indication of how the political landscape had changed, he added.