As Europe marks the 80th anniversary of its victory over fascism, Algeria reflects on a tragic parallel anniversary—the May 8, 1945 massacres, when French colonial forces violently crushed Algerian independence protests.

Commemorations in Guelma, Kherrata, and Setif, the cities most affected by the massacres, honored the thousands of Algerians killed in air and ground offensives. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune framed the event as a key moment in Algeria’s path to independence, following 132 years of French colonial rule. The Ministry of War Veterans launched events under the slogan: “A people without memory is a people without a future.”

More than 500,000 tirailleurs—North and West African soldiers—fought for France during World War II, with over 100,000 Algerians hoping their service would lead to greater rights. Instead, as French leader Charles De Gaulle praised “liberty and justice”, Algerians demanding independence were met with brutal repression.

On May 8, 1945, Algerians filled the streets waving flags, calling for freedom. After police opened fire, violent anti-French riots erupted, killing over 100 settlers. In retaliation, France launched a massive military crackdown, killing 45,000 Algerians, according to Algerian sources—or 3,000 by French estimates.

Despite efforts toward historical reconciliation, France has never issued a formal apology. President Emmanuel Macron and Tebboune previously announced a joint truth commission in 2022, but progress stalled due to diplomatic tensions over immigration and France’s regional ties.

Historian Daho Djerbal, who has interviewed survivors, denounced France’s refusal to acknowledge the massacres as crimes against humanity, stating: “There was no declared war, yet France deployed air, naval, and artillery forces against civilians.”

Although Macron has called for truth and recognition, Algeria’s demand for a state apology remains unmet. A delegation of 30 French lawmakers arrived in Algiers to participate in commemorative events, signaling continued dialogue over France’s colonial-era atrocities.

The Christian Democratic Union leader was elected by the Bundestag in a second attempt. On Tuesday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appointed conservative Friedrich Merz as chancellor, after he secured the absolute majority required in the Bundestag on his second attempt to be confirmed as the new head of government.

“In the name of the Federal Republic of Germany and based on Article 63, paragraph 2, sentence 2, I appoint Mr. Friedrich Merz as Federal Chancellor. Berlin, May 6, 2025. The Federal President,” he stated while reading the certificate of appointment. After receiving and thanking the president for the congratulations, Merz left the room in Bellevue Palace, the president’s official residence, to return to the Bundestag, where he is to be sworn in before the members of parliament.

He will then officially announce the composition of his government, in which his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), will hold seven ministries, including the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy. The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) will take charge of the Interior Ministry and two other ministries, while the Social Democratic Party (SPD) will appoint seven ministers, among them the Vice Chancellor, the Finance Minister, and the Defense Minister.

Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to hand over the office to Merz as his successor at 17:45 GMT. Merz was elected as new chancellor by the Bundestag in a second attempt, after failing to obtain the necessary majority of 316 votes in the first round — an unprecedented situation in the German history.

The far-right leader thus managed to reach what is known as the “chancellor majority,” securing 325 votes in favor, against 289 votes opposed, with one abstention and three invalid votes. Hours earlier, in the first attempt, Merz fell short by six votes to reach the required absolute majority, which caused a major surprise since the conservative bloc and the Social Democrats had a margin of 12 votes to pass the vote.