History of Impeachment in Timeline
Impeachment is a legal and political process where charges are brought against a public official for misconduct by a legislative body or tribunal. It's a distinct blend of political and legal elements. Though often leading to removal from office, impeachment itself doesn't automatically result in removal. Instead, it acts as an indictment, triggering a separate trial in the Senate (in the U.S. context) or a comparable body to determine guilt and potential penalties. The specific procedures and consequences of impeachment can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the office involved.
1910: Union of South Africa established, impeachment rules defined
With the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910, rules regarding impeachment (though not called as such) were established, initially applying only to judges.
1927: Last impeachment in Norway
The last instance of impeachment in Norway occurred in 1927. Since 1814, this process has been used eight times.
April 1950: Brazil's Law of Impeachment
Brazil's Law of Impeachment (Law no. 1.079) was established, defining impeachable offenses and penalties, including removal from office and disqualification from public function for up to five years.
1961: Impeachment scope expanded to include the state president
Upon becoming a republic in 1961, South Africa expanded its impeachment rules to include the state president.
1972: First constructive vote of no confidence
In 1972, the first constructive vote of no confidence occurred in Germany.
1976: Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh resigns
In 1976, President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh of Ireland resigned to protect the dignity of the presidency following criticism, although there was no formal impeachment process initiated.
1978: Start of Latin American Impeachment Analysis
The beginning of the period from 1978 to 2019 which saw ten presidents from seven Latin American countries removed from office via impeachment or declarations of incapacity.
1981: Vice state president added to impeachment scope
In 1981, South Africa broadened its impeachment scope again to encompass the vice state president.
1982: Second constructive vote of no confidence
The second constructive vote of no confidence against the German chancellor happened in 1982, which was successful, unlike the previous attempt.
September 1987: Beginning of Illegal Processing of Tamil Refugee Applications
From September 1987 to January 1989, Denmark illegally halted processing Tamil refugee family reunification applications, violating national and international law.
January 1989: End of Illegal Processing of Tamil Refugee Applications
The illegal suspension of Tamil refugee family reunification applications in Denmark ended in January 1989, marking the end of a period of legal violation.
1990: Start of Impeachment Study Period
This marks the beginning of the period studied regarding impeachment cases, from 1990 to 2020.
1991: Attempted impeachment of Francesco Cossiga
In 1991, there was an attempt by some members of the parliamentary opposition to initiate the impeachment procedure (Article 90) against Italian President Francesco Cossiga.
1992: Resignation and Conviction of Fernando Collor de Mello
Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello resigned amidst impeachment proceedings but was still convicted by the Senate and barred from office for eight years due to bribery and misappropriation.
1992: Formalization of Brazil's Senate Impeachment Process
The Brazilian Senate published formal procedures for impeachment trials, outlining steps including the formation of a special committee, time constraints, defense periods, and the process for votes.
1993: Russian constitutional crisis
The Russian constitutional crisis occurred in 1993.
1994: Executive deputy presidents, public protector, and Auditor-General included in impeachment scope
In 1994, South Africa further widened its impeachment scope to include executive deputy presidents, the public protector, and the Auditor-General.
June 1995: Impeachment and Conviction of Erik Ninn-Hansen
Danish Minister of Justice Erik Ninn-Hansen was impeached and convicted in June 1995 for his role in illegally suspending Tamil refugee applications, receiving a suspended sentence.
1995: Start of the First Chechen War
The First Chechen War began in 1995.
1997: Impeachment scope expanded to members of certain commissions
By 1997, certain commission members in South Africa could be impeached.
May 1999: Dismissal of Erik Ninn-Hansen's Appeal
Erik Ninn-Hansen's appeal to the European Court of Human Rights concerning his impeachment conviction was dismissed in May 1999.
1999: Attempted impeachment of Boris Yeltsin
An unsuccessful attempt to impeach Russian President Boris Yeltsin took place in 1999. The charges related to the 1993 constitutional crisis and the First Chechen War.
2000: Impeachment of Joseph Estrada initiated
Philippine President Joseph Estrada faced impeachment proceedings in 2000, but the trial ended prematurely due to controversy surrounding a vote.
2001: EDSA Revolution and deposition of Joseph Estrada
In 2001, Joseph Estrada was deposed during the EDSA Revolution.
April 2004: Impeachment of Rolandas Paksas
In April 2004, Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas was removed from office after being impeached by the Seimas and found guilty of violating his oath and the constitution by the Constitutional Court.
2005: First impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
An impeachment complaint was filed against Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005. It failed to gain enough support.
2006: Second impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
In 2006, a second impeachment complaint was lodged against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but it also did not progress.
May 2007: First impeachment and referendum for Traian Băsescu
Traian Băsescu, the president of Romania, was impeached in 2007, leading to a referendum where voters opposed his removal.
2007: Third impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
The third impeachment attempt against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo occurred in 2007, facing the same fate as the previous ones.
2008: Fourth impeachment complaint against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
In 2008, a fourth unsuccessful impeachment complaint was filed against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
March 2011: Impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez
Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez of the Philippines was impeached in March 2011, becoming the second person to be impeached in the country.
December 2011: Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona initiated
The impeachment process against Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona began in December 2011.
May 2012: Conviction of Renato Corona
On May 29, 2012, Chief Justice Renato Corona of the Philippines was convicted by the Senate for betraying public trust.
July 2012: Second impeachment of Traian Băsescu
In July 2012, Romanian President Traian Băsescu faced his second impeachment, resulting in a referendum that was later invalidated.
2013: Attempted Impeachment of Václav Klaus
The Czech Senate attempted to impeach President Václav Klaus in 2013, but the case was dismissed due to the expiration of his term.
2013: Constitutional Amendment to Czech Impeachment Process
In 2013, the Czech constitution was amended, altering the impeachment process to require involvement from three-fifths of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, and expanding impeachable offenses.
2014: Attempted impeachment of Giorgio Napolitano
An attempt to impeach Italian President Giorgio Napolitano took place in 2014.
February 2016: Implementation of the separation policy
In February 2016, Inger Støjberg implemented a policy that separated all asylum-seeking couples with a minor aged 15-17, without exceptions. This action later led to her impeachment and conviction.
May 2016: Initiation of Impeachment Proceedings Against Dilma Rousseff
The Chamber of Deputies initiated impeachment proceedings against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff for budgetary mismanagement, leading to her suspension and eventual removal from office in August 2016.
2016: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's Presidency Begins
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski became President of Peru in 2016.
December 2017: First impeachment attempt against Pedro Pablo Kuczynski
The first impeachment process against Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski began in December 2017, stemming from the political crisis caused by confrontations between the government and congress.
2018: Attempted impeachment of Sergio Mattarella
In 2018, there was an attempt to initiate impeachment proceedings against Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
2019: End of Latin American Impeachment Analysis
The concluding year of the analysis of presidential impeachments in Latin America, ending in 2019.
2019: Proposed Impeachment of Miloš Zeman
A proposal to impeach Czech President Miloš Zeman arose in 2019 but failed to progress to the Court due to timing issues in the Chamber of Deputies.
2020: End of Impeachment Study Period
This marks the end of the study period considered for impeachment analysis, concluding in 2020.
February 2021: Impeachment proceedings initiated against Inger Støjberg
In February 2021, impeachment proceedings began against former Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, Inger Støjberg, due to allegations of illegally separating asylum-seeking couples.
December 2021: Inger Støjberg convicted and removed from parliament
On December 13, 2021, Inger Støjberg was convicted by the Court of Impeachment for illegally separating asylum-seeking families. Later in December, she lost her seat in parliament.
January 2024: No impeachment has taken place to date
As of January 2024, no impeachment of a president has ever taken place in Ireland.