The Federal Government attaches great importance to a successful future for Opel, government spokesperson Seibert emphasised. The responsible ministries are holding talks with the French government. Chancellor Merkel will be "following all the steps".
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"The Federal Chancellor, of course, is not ruling out the possibility of holding talks at her level, but for now the responsible ministers are tackling the issue," said government spokesman Steffen Seibert on Wednesday in Berlin. These talks are "quite urgent", he stressed.
Spokespeople from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the federal ministries of Transport and Labour announced talks between their ministers and the French government. Chancellor Angela Merkel will be "following all the steps", said Seibert. The Federal Government "attaches great importance to a successful future for the company and its sites", he added.
However, there has not yet been an official request for a discussion with Merkel, Steffen Seibert explained. The French car maker PSA had previously offered to discuss the possible takeover of Opel with the Chancellor. The Chief Executive of PSA now wants to meet the Chancellor as well as worker representatives as soon as possible.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs confirmed that Federal Minister Brigitte Zypries was now working with the works council, trade unions and Opel management. The aim is to involve the workers fully in the further negotiations and secure jobs. Zypries herself considers that the way the companies had proceeded in the Opel case was "unacceptable".
Opel's parent company, General Motors, is negotiating an Opel takeover with French car manufacturer PSA. An agreement would "enable the two sides to [enhance] their competitive positions for the future in a rapidly changing European market", said GM Chief Executive Mary Barra.