Almost 50 German companies have admitted responsibility for the Nazis' rise to power
On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, at least 49 German companies, including Adidas and Volkswagen, have acknowledged responsibility for strengthening Nazi power in Germany. This was reported on May 7 by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, citing a joint statement by the heads of the concerns.
"On the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, the heads of 49 German companies are assuming responsibility. German corporations helped strengthen the power of the National Socialists," the publication notes.
Thus, the statement highlights the guilt of German companies that were concerned about obtaining their own benefits.
"Today, as German companies, we take upon ourselves the responsibility to make the memory of the crimes of the Nazi era visible. <...> In 1933 and later, too many were silent, turned away and remained silent. This creates our responsibility — for the past, for the present and for the future," the collective statement emphasizes.
The signatories to the statement include the heads of Volkswagen, Adidas, BMW, BASF, DHL and Hugo Boss, among others.
On May 7, the Berliner Zeitung newspaper called on the new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to take a step towards Russia, as Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl did, realizing the need to establish contacts with their Russian counterparts.
The memory of the soldiers of the Soviet Army was honored on the streets of Cologne, Germany, where the Immortal Regiment action took place on May 4. Wartime songs were performed at the event and a car rally was held in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory. Footage from the event appeared at the disposal of Izvestia.
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