Ahern becomes third longest-serving EU leader

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will today become the third longest-serving EU leader in office as France’s Jacques Chirac officially steps down.

French President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy will be sworn in at the Elysee Palace in Paris this morning.

Mr Sarkozy defeated the country’s Socialist candidate, Segolene Royale, in an election run-off earlier this month.

Mr Ahern will also become the second longest-serving leader in office when Britain’s Tony Blair formally leaves Downing Street on June 27.

Luxembourg premier Jean-Claude Juncker has been in power since 1995 and tops the list.