Ahern Retained, Vows Pursuit of Belfast Peace
Incumbent Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern was reappointed as head of the government and said securing lasting peace in neighboring Northern Ireland was his top priority. He also pledged to keep the economy booming.
An election May 17 strengthened both Ahern’s Fianna Fail party and its smaller partner, the Progressive Democrats. His is the first administration to retain power in Ireland in 33 years.
The prime minister said keeping alive the Good Friday peace pact in British-ruled Northern Ireland would be his “great political goal.” Ahern helped negotiate the 1998 accord.
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