Taiwan's government and parliament are locked in a fight over who has final say on new laws, a standoff that is deepening the island's political gridlock.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai wants to sit down with Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu to fix what he calls a broken constitutional balance.
• The fight is over the cabinet refusing to countersign bills passed by the opposition-controlled legislature.
• Han says no governing power outranks the constitution; Cho fired back by asking whether the legislature itself is following the law.
• The latest flashpoint is a child and youth savings account law the cabinet refuses to sign, saying it breaks rules on separation of powers and taxation.
• Cho says the cabinet's refusal to sign is itself a constitutional power, and blocking unconstitutional laws is its duty.

Outlook: Expect the standoff to keep escalating, with more bills blocked and the dispute likely heading to Taiwan's constitutional court.