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GM delay to choosing Opel bidder irritates Berlin

Germany's government has expressed irritation at General Motors' failure to decide on a preferred bidder for a controlling stake in Opel/Vauxhall, heightening the political stakes over the future of the European car manufacturing group.

Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor, told German television ZDF that she “regretted” GM's inaction and said a decision was needed urgently. “Every day counts, for the workers, as well as for the business situation,” she said in an interview broadcast yesterday evening.

Her comments followed GM's announcement late on Friday that its board had not made a decision concerning Opel.

The US parent is weighing up competing bids from Magna International, the Canadian parts maker that has joined forces with Russia's Sberbank, and RHJ International, the Brussels-based private equity group.

Ms Merkel – who faces national elections next month – has pushed hard for the Magna deal, and the federal government and various German states have agreed to put up the entire