Taiwan's premier is doubling down on refusing to countersign bills passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, deepening a constitutional standoff at the top of the government.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai said the Cabinet's power to withhold countersignature comes from the constitution itself.
• If the legislature keeps passing bills the Cabinet sees as unconstitutional, he said blocking them is a duty to defend the country.
• Legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu hit back that no executive power is bigger than the constitution, questioning where that authority comes from.
• Cho called on Han to work with him to fix the imbalance between the branches and restore constitutional order.

Outlook: The fight over who has the final word on legislation looks set to escalate, with no sign either side will back down soon.