Taiwan's government is refusing to sign off on eight laws passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, deepening a constitutional standoff that now threatens the national budget.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai flatly rejected demands to retroactively countersign the bills, saying the legal window already closed and the demand can never be met.
• The opposition KMT and TPP have made the countersignature a condition for unfreezing government budget funds.
• Cho cast himself as a goalkeeper defending the constitution, saying he will absorb the attacks and others will take his place if he falls.
• The blocked laws cover tax revenue sharing, party assets, and broadcasting rules, which the government says would let parties and the military influence media and wreck fiscal discipline.
• He dismissed the idea that refusing to countersign is a check on the president, noting any premier who tried it would simply be replaced.

Outlook: The budget freeze and the fight over these eight laws look set to drag on, with no sign either side will back down.