(Bloomberg) — German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is increasing pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to call new elections without delay.

Habeck, who is also Germany’s vice chancellor, told public broadcaster ZDF on Friday evening that a vote should be held “as soon as possible” following the collapse of Scholz’s unpopular three-way coalition. He also warned that parties should be careful not to jeopardize the constitution or ongoing government business.

Germany entered a period of unusual uncertainty with the disintegration of the ruling coalition on the same day that Donald Trump declared victory in the US elections. Trump has been hostile to Berlin in the past and returns to office at a time when Europe’s largest economy is struggling and critical sectors such as autos and chemicals are facing disruptive transformations.

Habeck cited a letter from Federal Election Commissioner Ruth Brand warning of “incalculable risks at every level” if the election was rushed. The next election in Germany is scheduled for late September.

The green politician added that for historical reasons, the decision on the timing of the election rests solely with the chancellor. “We discuss such things, but ultimately it is his decision and he has made it. If he changes his mind or reconsiders, that’s his decision, too,” Habeck said.

Scholz on Wednesday dismissed finance minister and Free Democrats leader Christian Lindner, disbanding his coalition and announcing plans to continue government in the minority with Habeck and the Greens.

While the chancellor does not want to submit the confidence question to the German parliament by January and hold an election by the end of March, Friedrich Merz – leader of the conservative opposition party CDU/CSU – which is clearly ahead in the polls – is pressuring him to start the process as early as next week.

According to public broadcaster ZDF’s latest Politbarometer poll, 54% of respondents are in favor of holding elections before March. Only 30% support Scholz’s proposed March timing.

In an interview published in Suedddeutsche Zeitung on Saturday, SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch signaled that he is open to talks with the CDU/CSU by holding a vote of confidence earlier, on the condition that the opposition helps pass some projects in the Bundestag before the elections are held.

Miersch also addressed Brand’s concerns that sufficient time should be given to ensure the elections are conducted fairly and properly.

Federal and state election officials will hold a meeting with Brand on Monday to discuss the necessary measures for early elections, Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland reported.

Habeck, who announced his candidacy for chancellor on Friday, told ZDF: “The election campaign is starting, but it should not be carried out at the expense of constitutional norms and government affairs.”

Separately, Transport and Justice Minister Volker Wissing told public broadcaster ARD on Friday that the election date issue should not be turned into a “political issue”. Wissing is the only remaining member of the Free Democrats in government; He left the party and was appointed minister of justice.

Scholz appears to be slowly yielding to the pressure. At a summit of European heads of state and government in Budapest on Friday, he said he was ready to discuss a quicker timetable for triggering new elections, describing the current situation as a “major democratic party”.

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