Taiwan's government and opposition are locked in a constitutional standoff, with both sides now accused of breaking the rules — bad news for political stability.

• The premier refused to countersign laws passed by the legislature, even after a formal request to reconsider them failed.
• Former premier Jiang Yi-huah called that move flatly unconstitutional, saying the cabinet was required to accept the legislature's decision.
• The countersigning power was meant as a check on the president, not a veto over parliament, so using it this way twists its purpose.
• Former DPP chairman Hsu Hsin-liang agreed on the principle but blamed the opposition first, saying their spending and revenue bills already broke constitutional norms.
• The result is described as "unconstitutionality against unconstitutionality" — each side answering the other's overreach with its own.

Outlook: With the bar for amending the constitution very high, both camps are being urged to negotiate a compromise rather than keep escalating.