Taiwan's constitutional fight between the executive and the legislature is escalating, and a former premier says the government's tactic is illegal and dangerous for democracy.

• Eight laws passed by Taiwan's legislature have not taken effect because Premier Cho Jung-tai refuses to countersign them.
• Once a veto fails, the constitution says the premier must accept the legislature's decision, with no exceptions — blocking it anyway is called "executive dictatorship."
• The countersignature power sits in the constitution's presidential chapter and was meant to restrain the president, never to fight parliament.
• The side effect: a premier who can block laws can also block the president, so future presidents will only appoint obedient loyalists.
• Presidents from Tsai Ing-wen to Lai Ching-te would have had to think twice about naming strong-willed premiers under this precedent.

Outlook: What used to be gridlock is hardening into a genuine constitutional crisis, and pressure is now on the Cabinet to explain itself.