Berlin - The dispute over a billion-dollar rescue package for Opel splits the grand coalition. While Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) provides no basis for state aid, called Foreign Minister and SPD candidate for chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier quick action. The debate will be impacted by reports that Opel had paid no taxes in Germany.
According to "Focus" the profits are siphoned off to the parent company General Motors in the U.S., however, the losses were tax deductible in Germany. For years, General Motors should have instructed its affiliates to transfer hundreds of millions in profits, the U.S. and simultaneously to take large loans. This had the German treasury debt claimed against the profits taxed at low rates have been in the U.S..
Many politicians from the CDU and FDP responded indignantly. CDU-politician Michael Fuchs said the middle class "Bams": "It may not be that the German taxpayer will save a company that transfers its profits to the United States."
Meanwhile, asked Opel works council chief Klaus Franz, all parties to be patient. To take a decision on the Opel could save ten four to eight weeks. This time was necessary to clarify questions about the future of parent company General Motors in the U.S..
For Opel in Germany to work for more than 25,000 people. Across Europe hanging on Opel 50,000 jobs.
The dispute is also about the consequences of a possible Opel insolvency. The Frankfurt IG Metall boss Armin sign: "The insolvency may be life saving at an engineering company. For Opel, they would be euthanasia. "
The new production method Christoph Schmidt, however, considers an acceptable insolvency. "A restructuring is not the end but a new beginning. The expertise of the employees, the machines - all that remains. "
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