U2’s Bono Wants Europe-wide Campaign for Spain

At the European People’s Party Congress in Dublin the venue was packed with some of the most powerful people in Europe. But the politicians weren´t the stars of the show…

U2´S Bono was invited to speak at the event and outshone famous faces of EU politics including Germany´s Angela Merkel and Spain´s Mariano Rajoy, delivering a speech that was the most applauded of the day.

The Irish U2 front-man spoke about a range of issues, from capitalism and the European Union, Ireland’s bailout and racism against Roma and Africans, to EU leaders Merkel and Rajoy, who were seated in the audience.

And he also talked about Spain. Bono argued that Europe still has a lot to do before it can fully put the crisis behind it, not only in economic terms, but also in terms of its unity.

“You’ve got Prime Minister Rajoy just this week urging the EU to make structural reforms that will create liquidity in the Spanish economy.” he said.

“Maybe you will. But beyond that, where is the family’s response?” he asked, after comparing the EU to a family in which everyone should help each other.

“Where is our Europe-wide campaign to spotlight Spain, to encourage others to take their holidays there, to buy Spanish goods, listen to Spanish music?”

The question surprised the Spanish delegation, who were already applauding the speech. Spain´s Prime Minister Rajoy, though, did not seem so thrilled. He only applauded at the end, after the longest speech of the day was over.

Bono´s speech wasn´t all serious though – the singer added some jokes between his political messages, including one about Spain: “Perhaps U2 should make a flamenco album [to support Spain],” he said. “Well, maybe not.”