Germany's Finance Minister says any new Greek government would have to stick to agreements made by its predecessors — comments that come as Greece risks early elections that could bring an anti-bailout opposition party to power.

The Greek government has a third and final chance Monday, Dec 29, to get a new president elected. If it fails, parliamentary elections will be called. The Syriza party, which has said it wants the country's bailout program renegotiated, leads in polls.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told Saturday's Bild daily that he'll continue to support Greece on its "path of hard reforms" but if Athens chooses another road, "it will be difficult."

Schaeuble said that "new elections won't change anything about Greece's debts. Any new government must abide by the legal agreements of its predecessors."