French reaction:France's newspaper of record, Le Monde, has published a flattering ode to "The Bertie Model" in today's edition.
It is praise from an unexpected quarter. Le Mondeis a left-wing newspaper which supported the Socialist candidate, Ségolène Royal, in this month's presidential election. No doubt its editors took the Taoiseach seriously when he said he was a socialist.
"You don't change the captain of a winning team," says the newspaper's main editorial. "That is the political choice, both wise and fair, that the Irish have made."
Mr Ahern's victory is "without precedent in national history", Le Mondenotes, adding that the Irish "have renewed their confidence in the man who embodies the Emerald Island, which has in 15 years become the richest country in Europe, by inhabitant, after Luxembourg".
Fianna Fáil owes its election success "to the qualities of the man whom everyone in Ireland calls 'Bertie'", Le Mondecontinues. "Warm and direct, a skilled strategist and an indefatigable negotiator, permanently in search of a consensus, this 'true Dub' is still young. . ."
Le Mondecites the Taoiseach's "co-responsibility" for the peace process in Northern Ireland since 1998, and his surprisingly good relations with the Rev Ian Paisley.
But the Irish were especially satisfied with the Taoiseach's handling of the economy. "For more than a decade, the Celtic Tiger has been running rampant, surprising Europe."