The head of Germany's central bank is warning that there would be no basis for further financial aid to keep Greece afloat if the country backs off agreements with international creditors, AP reports.

The comments by Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann, who is also a member of the European Central Bank's governing council, came as Greek politicians, deeply divided over the value of austerity and reform measures that creditors demanded in exchange for rescue loans, flounder in efforts to form a new government.

"If Athens doesn't stand by its word, that is a democratic decision - but that means the basis for further financial aid falls away," Weidmann was quoted Saturday, May 12, as telling the German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung. "The donor countries also have to justify themselves to their population."

Bailing out countries such as Greece has been unpopular in Germany and other prosperous nations.

Asked about a possible Greek exit from the 17-nation euro, Weidmann said that "the consequences for Greece would be more serious than for the rest of the Eurozone."

"I think it is too simplistic to assume that the problems in Greece would be solved if the country leaves the Eurozone," he added. "An exit from the currency union would be historically unprecedented and linked with great uncertainty."

Since last Sunday's indecisive Greek election, German officials have insisted on the need for Athens to stick to its existing course, which has become hugely unpopular with Greek voters.

"There is no easy way for Greece," Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was quoted as saying in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

"We have gone to the limits of what the financial markets will believe from us - there is no better solution," he added. "Now Greece must show whether it has the strength to put together the necessary majorities for that. I can only hope that those responsible in Greece quickly understand that."