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U2 singer Bono mocks Sweden Democrats at Paris concert

TT/The Local
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U2 singer Bono mocks Sweden Democrats at Paris concert
The US singer Bono used a photo filter to transform his appearance. Photo: Screen grab/YouTube

The Irish rock frontman Bono mocked the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats as Nazis from stage in Paris on the night of Sweden's elections.

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In the guise of Macphisto, a sort of Irish version of the Faustian devil Mephisto, the rockstar twice performed a Nazi salute as he barked out "Åkesson!", the surname of the Sweden Democrats' leader Jimmie Åkesson. 
 
"He's done so well in the election today," the devil character then drawled. "I love elections. I love balloons. I love… parties that get out of hand." 
 
"It appears the Swedes are beginning to discover their Aryan Potential. Oh yes!" he said. 
 
 
 
Henrik Gustafsson, the Sweden Democrat's press chief, said he was not surprised at the attack. 
 
"When Swedish celebrities obviously do not have a reality-based view of us and our party, it's no wonder to me that the situation is even worse for a person like Bono," he said.  
 
Macphisto was one of three characters Bono conceived for the band's Zoo TV tour back in 1992, and then used to make satirical statement and prank shows to local politicians, employing an exaggerated upper-class English accent. 
 
In Paris on Sunday, Macphisto also had a dig at the Swedes in general. 
 
"I'm just back from Sweden. I didn't know how much I liked the Swedish," he says. "Tall, blonde, blue-eyed… boring. 
 
He then waved his hand in front of his mouth in an exaggerated yawn.

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