It was always going to be so. Politics in a German election year would end up playing a critical role in deciding the future of Opel and the rest of General Motors’ European activities.

Theoretically, at least, it is GM which is trying to sell its European businesses as part of its attempts to avoid bankruptcy. In practice, it will be the German government’s decision later this week over its preferred candidate to take over Opel that will swing the deal one way or the other. All three Opel bids hinge on the German government granting the eventual winner sizeable loan guarantees to help revive the company.