The Dutch coalition government collapsed Saturday over whether to extend the country's military mission in Afghanistan, leaving the future of its 1,600 soldiers fighting there uncertain. An early election is now expected. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced that the second largest party in his three-party alliance is quitting, ending what had always been an uneasy partnership. “Where there is no trust, it is difficult to work together. There is no road along which this Cabinet can go further,” Balkenende said. Balkenende made no mention of elections as he spoke to reporters after a marathon 16-hour Cabinet meeting in The Hague that ended close to dawn.
