Taiwan's premier is blocking eight laws from taking effect, a hardball move that escalates the fight between the government and the opposition-run legislature.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to countersign eight bills, which stops the president from signing them into law.
• The constitution says the premier must countersign laws, so withholding that signature blocks them.
• Cho argues the bills are unconstitutional power grabs by the legislature and the president has no other way to push back.
• Critics say the countersignature was meant to check the president, not overrule parliament, and warn any future government could abuse it.
• Supporters say the legislature has its own remedy — a no-confidence vote or a constitutional court challenge — and has chosen not to use it.

Outlook: Expect the opposition to escalate, either through the courts or a no-confidence push, with the standoff over who outranks whom unresolved.