German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concern about the rise of extremists in his country during his visit to Italy to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the World War II massacre in Marzabotto on Sunday.
“Powers that wish to weaken or undermine democracy – in my country, everywhere – that worries me,” Steinmeier said.
There was a greater responsibility than ever to stand up and fight for the values of a united Europe and its democracy, he said.
Steinmeier traveled to Italy immediately after Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s three-day visit to Germany.
The two presidents attended the 80th anniversary of the Marzabotto massacre near Bologna.
Steinmeier described the celebration as a “responsibility for our history, especially for us Germans” so that what once happened never happens again. He said this work was never ending.
German Nazis killed about 800 people in Marzabotto, including many women and children, between September 29 and October 1, 1944, in retaliation for the group’s attacks. It was among the worst massacres committed by German soldiers on Italian soil during World War II.
Steinmeier received a standing ovation when he delivered his speech in Italian. He expressed sadness and shame for the crimes in Germany and asked for forgiveness from the victims and their relatives.
The German president and Mattarella also met with a group of survivors and relatives of the victims of the massacre on Sunday and attended several wreath-laying ceremonies.
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