Volker Hoff is to open Opel doors in Berlin

The former Hessian minister for federal and European affairs will be the chief lobbyist for Opel in Germany, writes the 'Wiesbadener Kurier'. Hoff told the 'Frankfurter Rundschau': 'There is an offer and I want to accept it.' He had to make a decision this week. According to this, the member of the state parliament will represent the interests of the car manufacturer vis-à-vis governments internationally at the 'highest political level'.

H off longtime companion of Roland Koch

The 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' reports that Opel and its boss Nick Reilly hoped that 'Hoff's connections to Hesse and Berlin would provide good access to the decision-makers'. They have to decide on the billions in government aid that Opel claims to be applying for its renovation.

The post should be filled by February 1st, the office is in Rüsselsheim, it said. A spokesman said on request that the company does not comment on personnel speculation. So far, the Canadian Tayce Wakefield has represented the political interests of General Motors Europe in Brussels. It was initially unclear whether Hoff should replace them.

Hoff left the Hessian state government in 2009. He is considered a long-time companion of Prime Minister Roland Koch (CDU) and has been a member of the Hessian state parliament since 1991.