Taiwan's political fight over the premier's refusal to countersign new laws is escalating, and it is bad news for anyone hoping the legislature and cabinet can work together.

• Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu accused Premier Cho Jung-tai of turning the countersignature power into a weapon against laws already passed by lawmakers.
• Han argued the constitution gives the premier only one tool against the legislature — asking for a bill to be reconsidered — not simply refusing to sign.
• Taichung Mayor Lu Shiu-yen said every directly elected president since Lee Teng-hui signed off on laws even when the opposition controlled the legislature.
• Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an tied the standoff to the cabinet's handling of a tainted cooking oil scandal, calling the government reckless.
• Han singled out a blocked savings-account law that would give children a lump sum at 18, calling it a blow to efforts against Taiwan's falling birth rate.

Outlook: The deadlock looks set to harden, with the opposition camp closing ranks around a constitutional challenge to the cabinet.