End to freedom of movement behind UK fuel crisis, says Merkel’s likely successor

Olaf Scholz, poised to become next chancellor, wades into row over HGV driver shortage

The centre-left politician in pole position to replace Angela Merkel as German chancellor has pinpointed the decision to end freedom of movement with Europe after Brexit as the reason for Britain's petrol crisis.

Olaf Scholz, who is seeking to form a coalition government after the SPD emerged as the biggest party in Germany's federal elections, said he hoped Boris Johnson would be able to deal with the consequences of the UK's exit from the EU.