On September 11 another stage in the war of nerves between General Motors and the German government , in progress for a few months now, ended. It concerned the fulfilment of conditions of the preliminary agreement of May 2009 and General Motors' agreement to sell off 55% of shares in the German car company Opel. The offensive of German politicians forced General Motors (GM) to announce that the majority of shares in Opel will be taken over by Germany's favourite - the consortium of the Canadian-Austrian parts supplier Magna and the Russian state-owned bank Sberbank. Although the decision is not final and binding, it has been enthusiastically received by Chancellor Angela Merkel and Opel's workers. It has however caused considerable controversy in the country and abroad. The German government will have to explain itself to the opposition about the final terms and conditions of Magna and Sberbank's takeover bid which are shrouded in mystery and justify public aid provided to Opel plants in Germany to some EUcountries and the European Commission (EC).
