Germany's Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Friday the government will decide on the "viability" of General Motors Corp.'s (GM) restructuring plan for German unit Opel from Monday.

"It is pleasant that a plan is now on the table," zu Guttenberg said in a statement. "We will decide about the viability of it from Monday."

His comments come after German unit Opel plans to increase its independence from General Motors Corp. while not completely cutting ties with the GM Europe network, according to GM Europe Chief Executive Carl-Peter Forster. GM has signaled its willingness to sell a stake in the company, according to Klaus Franz, the head of Opel's workers' council.

Forster told reporters at the Opel brand's headquarters in Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt that Opel needs EUR3.3 billion in capital. GM posted a total loss of $30.9 billion in 2008. The minister is due to talk with the governors of states where Opel plants are located on Saturday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that possible liquidity guarantees would be the right tool to help companies like Opel.

Merkel referred to the German government's recent decision to set up a EUR100 billion fund to provide liquidity guarantees and loans to help struggling companies. Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said earlier this week that Opel should be nationalized to help save 25,000 Opel jobs, a number that more than doubles when including parts suppliers and other Opel-linked companies.

The states with Opel plants - Thuringia, North-Rhine Westphalia, Rhineland Palatinate and Hesse - could at least temporarily take over the car maker, he said.

State governments so far have been cool towards an outright takeover of the auto maker, suggesting only possibly offering credit guarantees to keep production going.

Meanwhile, Opel dealers around the country said they would be willing to invest in the company.

GM plans to drop 47,000 jobs worldwide by the end of the year, including 26,000 workers outside the U.S., as part of its restructuring plan.

-By Andrea Thomas, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 (0)30 - 2888 410; andrea.thomas@dowjones.com