Taiwan's government and parliament are in open conflict over two opposition-backed laws, and the KMT is pinning the blame squarely on President Lai Ching-te.

• The Cabinet refused to countersign two bills passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, one on a children's savings account scheme and one on cable TV rules.
• Legislative speaker Han Kuo-yu said no ruling power sits above the constitution; Premier Cho Jung-tai said blocking unconstitutional laws is a duty to protect the country.
• KMT caucus deputy secretary-general Hsu Yu-chen said the real problem is Lai, who has the constitutional power to call the heads of government branches together to settle disputes but has not done so.
• The KMT argues Lai treats his party's minority in parliament as an excuse to fight the legislature instead of negotiating, and wants parliament to act as a rubber stamp.
• Han has offered olive branches — cross-party talks, budget cooperation, an invitation for Lai to address the legislature — and got pushback instead.

Outlook: With neither side backing down and no presidential mediation in sight, the standoff between Taiwan's Cabinet and legislature looks set to keep escalating.