Chancellor Olaf Scholz went to pains on Sunday to remind people of Germany’s obligation to carry on the memories of the Holocaust as he deplored moves to downsize atrocities committed by Nazi Germany. He made this call during the celebration of a commemoration day for the 80th liberation anniversary of the biggest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz.
Scholz said the Holocaust is “millions of individual stories” and that Germans must confront this painful past regardless of their origin or religion. He rejected the idea of “turning the page,” arguing that the atrocities were too long ago to be relevant. The Chancellor said it was important to face “indisputable facts” that all must come to terms with.
He further mentioned the worrying growth of far-right activities in Germany, too, as he warns of the “normalization” of anti-Semitism and hate speech with the growing extremist movements. He also specifically mentioned that such an ideology has also grown on social media platforms and is often linked to calls for violence.
The comments come at a time when the Alternative für Deutschland party is still facing widespread criticism as it continues to gain popularity over the years. One of the most recent controversial campaign flyers designed as a “Deportation Ticket,” drew comparison to the brutal Nazi-era practices and witnessed large-scale backlash against the party.
Scholz’s speech comes at a time when there is growing concern over the protection of Jewish communities in Germany. He called for vigilance against anti-Semitism and the resurgence of harmful ideologies, stressing that Germany’s duty to remember the Holocaust will never fade.
The Holocaust is remembered through the Holocaust, where more than one million people died at Auschwitz. Among the victims of this are Jews, Roma, and Soviet POWs. The call for remembrance by Scholz underlines the ongoing struggle against hate and extremism.
