Germany May Provide Opel With Bridge Financing

"There are a number of other factors that first need to be clarified -- probably this evening," Steinbrueck said.

U.S. parent GM faces a June 1 deadline to restructure or file for bankruptcy.

Late Tuesday, Germany's ZDF television reported that moves toward a financial and legal separation of GM and Opel were well advanced. Asked about that in a ZDF interview, employee council chief Klaus Franz replied: "I can confirm that. I have seen the contract ... it looks very good and everything is going in the right direction."

Opel employs some 25,000 people in Germany, nearly half of GM Europe's total work force. With elections looming in September, Berlin is keen to save as many jobs as it can.

Wednesday's evening meetings in Berlin are expected to include Cabinet ministers; governors of the four German states that have Opel plants; top officials from Fiat, Magna and possibly Ripplewood; and representatives from GM, GM Europe and the U.S. Treasury Department.