Berlin (dpa) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944 as a “day of liberation”, calling at the same time for a commitment today to democracy and freedom in a strong Europe. The date marked “the beginning of the end of the barbaric system of National Socialism, of its racist fanaticism and militarism, of its will to exterminate and its imperialistic fantasies,” Scholz wrote in an article for the French newspaper “Ouest France” to mark the 80th anniversary. The courage of the liberators had paved the way for democracy and freedom, for prosperity and the rule of law in Germany, according to Scholz. “Their courage offered us Germans the chance for a new beginning.”
In his article, the chancellor also pledged further support for Ukraine: “For Germany and our partners and allies, it is clear that Russia’s brutal imperialism cannot be allowed to succeed. And it will not succeed because we are continuing to support Ukraine in its heroic fight to defend itself – for as long as it takes.” Scholz also stressed the importance of the European Union: an economically, militarily and socially strong Europe, firmly anchored in the transatlantic Alliance, forms the basis for preserving peace and freedom also in the future. “Promoting this Europe is the legacy of 6 June 1944.”
Troops of those countries allied against Nazi Germany had landed on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944. D-Day marked the beginning of Europe’s liberation from the west. Alongside other leaders, such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, Scholz took part in the central commemoration ceremony at Omaha Beach in Normandy on the North French coast on Thursday.
