Germany's main opposition leader Friedrich Merz criticised Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday as "irresponsible" for delaying early elections, as an opinion poll also showed voters in favour of an early vote to pull the country out of political crisis.

There was no holding Olaf Scholz back as he told astonished reporters in the halls of Berlin’s chancellery building on Wednesday why he had just decided to dismiss Finance Minister Christian Lindner and bury his own three-party coalition.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, mired in crisis after his three-party coalition collapsed this week, said Friday he is open to talks on whether to move forward snap elections.

The German conservative leader hoping to replace embattled Chancellor Olaf Scholz applied further pressure on Friday for early elections, as Europe's biggest economy grappled with a major political crisis.