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 on Sundayevening.