Merkel says government’s ‘patience’ paid off

The German government's 'patience, clarity and decisiveness' had paid off, Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, said on 10 September 2009 as she 'warmly welcomed' General Motors' decision to sell its European arm to Magna, the Canadian parts maker.

Other related hyperlinks give the views of other stakeholders, governments and the European Commission.

Subsequently, the European Commission said it would scrutinise German backing for the takeover of Opel and Vauxhall amid concern that planned job cuts could be influenced by political factors, hitting plants in Britain and Belgium disproportionately hard.

EurActiv, 14.9.09: Fight looms over Opel sale http://www.euractiv.com/competition/fight-looms-opel-sale-news-222492

Deutsche Welle, 14.9.09: Opel deal faces fresh challenge http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4685849,00.html

BBC News, 14.9.09: Magna could axe 10,500 Opel jobs http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8255221.stm

Deutsche Welle, 11.9.09: After Opel deal proclaimed, job worries across Europe http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4678504,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 11.9.09: Opel deal leaves many unanswered questions http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4677693,00.html

France24, 11.9.09: Opel's sale to Magna raises fear of layoffs http://www.france24.com/en/20090911-opel-sale-magna-fear-layoffs-germany-unemployment-auto-industry

Spiegel Online International, 11.9.09: Is Strife Inevitable in This Tricky Marriage? http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,648387,00.html

ACEA: News: Economic turmoil hits vehicle makers hard http://www.acea.be/index.php/news/news_detail/economic_turmoil_hits_vehicle_makers_hard/

ITAR-TASS, 11.9.09: Vladimir Putin says Opel deal - right market choice http://www.itar-tass.com/en/

ESO: Background information: GM delay over Opel bidder irritates Berlin http://www.europeansources.info/record/gm-delay-over-opel-bidder-irritates-berlin/

BBC News, 10.9.09: Opel and Vauxhall to go to Magna http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8247971.stm

BBC News, 11.9.09: Mandelson positive over Vauxhall http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8249825.stm

European Commission: MEMO/09/389: Statement of the European Commission regarding recent developments concerning GM Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/389&format=DOC&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

General Motors Europe: Press Release, 10.9.09: Future prospects for Opel http://www.gmeurope.info/social_media_newsroom/archives/826-Future-Prospects-for-Opel.html

Magna International: Press Release: Magna and Sberbank offer selected as the preferred solution for Opel http://www.magna.com/magna/en/investors/pressreleases/?i=226

ESO: Background Information: Three formal bids expected for stake in GM's Europe operations http://www.europeansources.info/record/three-formal-bids-expected-for-stake-in-gms-europe-operations/

Deutsche Welle, 16.9.09: Germany fails to sway European partners at first Opel meeting http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4695462,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 11.9.09: International Reactions From Joy To Anger To Legal Threats http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,648517,00.html

BBC News, 11.9.09: Belgium wants probe of Opel sale http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8250797.stm

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