This is not a traffic sign

This is not a traffic sign. It is a statement. A political statement.

Today is election day in The Netherlands. Today we choose representatives for the provincial administration, who in turn will elect Senate members. The current national government has a minority in Senate, so these are important elections.

For ages the speed limit in The Netherlands has been 120 km/h on motorways. Whatever the speed limit may be, there will always be people who want to go faster, and many of them do.

I have done extensive (though highly unscientific) research lately. My conclusion is that most speeding drivers vote VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, the party of current PM Mark Rutte).

You can never rule out coincidence, but two days before the elections the Minister of Transport (also VVD) announced that on some remote motorways the speed limit would be raised to 130 km/h, coming into effect the next day. 

Democracy has two faces. People may choose those who they trust to rule their country, or people may choose those who give them what they want. 

Politics is balancing between giving people what they want, and not losing the trust of the people who vote for the wise.

Photo available at Hollandse Hoogte (keyword GV110301)